Unbeatable line-up for inaugural Buckingham Festival of Higher Education

THE inaugural University of Buckingham Festival of Higher Education launches today (8 September 2016) – the first HE event of its kind to cover all aspects of Higher Education.

It is being launched by Vice-Chancellor Sir Anthony Seldon, who six years ago created the Wellington Festival, which has gone on to be the biggest event of its type in the schools world.

There are more than 40 high profile speakers including Universities and Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Jo Johnson, UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook, HEPI Director Nick Hillman, philosopher Sir Roger Scruton, Dr Samina Khan, Director of Admissions, University of Oxford and journalist Toby Young.

Social mobility, the TEF, mental health, the impact of technology and mental health are just some of the topics being debated at the two-day event. The festival is in association with The Independent newspaper and has been sponsored by Pearson media.

Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham, said: “This is the dawn of a totally new event which will become as transformative and high profile as the Wellington Festival. We have the most exceptional line-up of speakers and a thoroughly thought-provoking programme of panels and presentations.”

“Universities in Britain are under significant attack and need to change their mindset in so many areas if Britain is to get ahead of the international league tables and stop the kind of slippage we have seen this week.

“It needs to embrace its teaching responsibilities professionally and seriously rather than resisting. Our wonderful universities need dynamism and imagination if we are to keep ahead.”