Today’s education in the media blog discusses the new university regulator the Office for Students (OfS) which legally comes into force today.
Office for Students
Today, Tuesday 2 January, the Office for Students, the new regulator designed to champion the interests of students, promote choice and help ensure that students are receiving a good deal for their investment in higher education, came into force. With the legal establishment of the OfS, Education Secretary Justine Greening also announced the final six appointments to the OfS 15-member strong board.
This has been covered widely in the media including the Guardian, Times, I newspaper and Independent, as well as online at the Daily Mirror.
The OfS marks a major milestone in the implementation of the Higher Education and Research Act (2017) and the OfS will have an explicit legal duty to promote choice and consider the student, employer and taxpayer interests.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said:
The higher education sector is one of our nation’s greatest assets, and the OfS will play a vital role in ensuring our universities retain their world-class reputation for years to come.
I welcome the new OfS board members to their important new roles. Their experience and skill will be key in ensuring the OfS achieves its ambitions.
OfS Chair Sir Michael Barber said:
I am delighted to be welcoming another outstanding set of appointments. The new Board members' broad mix of skills and experiences complement those already appointed.
I am confident that the OfS has a Board in place that is well-placed to successfully oversee the creation and guide the operation of a new organisation which will be shaping our brilliant higher education sector in the interests of students, short, medium and long term.
Minister for Universities Jo Johnson said:
The OfS will introduce a truly modern approach to regulation – one that will further enhance the reputation of our university sector.
I welcome today’s appointments, and I am confident that the OfS has a board that will champion choice and competition, and put the interests of students at the heart of regulation.
There is more information about the OfS available here.