Universities UK

Universities UK began life as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom (CVCP) in the nineteenth century when there were informal meetings involving Vice-Chancellors of a number of universities and Principals of university colleges. The current President is Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of Exeter University.

In 1918 the first consultative meeting of all Vice-Chancellors was held. At that time, the committee consisted of just 22 universities and university colleges. In 1930, under the chairmanship of Sir Charles Grant Robertson, Vice-Chancellors secured a mandate from their respective universities that "it is desirable in the common interests of the United Kingdom to constitute a Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals for purposes of mutual consultation".

In the early 80s, they commissioned the Jarratt report, published in 1985, and which framed universities as businesses delivering a product to student-consumers.

Over the succeeding years the number of universities increased as a result of new universities being created and the change in legislation in 1992, which recognised the former Polytechnics as Universities thus doubling and diversifying the membership.

On 1 December 2000, CVCP’s name, logo and identity were changed to Universities UK in order to reflect changes which had taken place in the organisation in recent years.^[1]

Universities UK's task is to support the work of universities and promote their interests. It works to deliver its mission by speaking out for a thriving and diverse higher education sector which creates benefits for all; providing and disseminating essential information; bringing people together to share knowledge and good practice.

See also

• British university
• List of British universities

References

External links

• Universities UK