Speech by Vivienne Stern MBE, Universities UK Annual Conference 2023

It is profoundly influenced by the idea that was sparked for me by the University of Aberdeen’s founding purpose: to be open to all, and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others. [...] In short, our mission should be drawn directly from those of the institutions we represent, and that the purpose of UUK’s work should be to ensure that our universities are able to thrive – not out of self interest, but because the whole of society benefits if they do. [...] You will start to see this in action over the coming year as we bring strands of work together to form a vision for the higher education sector which we intend to use to influence the thinking of the next government. [...] You’ll have seen our work on the value of a degree; on the future needs of the labour market; and today’s launch of a new assessment of the economic impact of universities. [...] He describes them in earnest conversation, appreciating what the University of Liverpool will go on to achieve, but also conscious that there is more to be done, more to provide opportunities to support the emergence of a professional class of women and to meet the challenges of universal schooling, introduced in the 1870 Education Act.