27th January | Vivienne Stern This year's Holocaust Memorial Day theme is Bridging Generations. This is my response #HolocaustMemorialDayTrust #HolocaustMemorialDay #BridgingGenerations

www.linkedin.com/posts/vivien...

I never went to university but I’d love to do a mad PhD ‘I always thought students spent three years getting stoned, lying that they were into jazz — then got their parents’ mates to give them a job’

I never went to university but I’d love to do a mad PhD”. Love it @thetimes.com

www.thetimes.com/article/09da...

Thriving universities are critical to driving growth and opportunity in the UK🌟

📢 In our submission to the government’s Autumn Budget, we outline how the sector needs the right support following a sustained, long-term erosion of funding.

See more on our submission: https://loom.ly/9gwXOV0

The financial impact of government policy decisions on universities We estimate the net impact of government policy decisions taking effect in 2025–26 will be a £1.4 billion reduction in funding.

www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insig...

🌟Unis are central to the UK’s future – driving growth, innovation and opportunity across every part of the country.

UUK Chief Executive @viviennestern.bsky.social explains why higher education is key to developing a highly skilled, innovative UK workforce.

OfS rebalances the free speech/harassment see-saw on antisemitism A probing exchange with OfS director Arif Ahmed exposes the legal and practical tensions at the heart of campus free speech guidance. Jim Dickinson looks at when happens when promises to Jewish studen...

Worth reading this if you think that universities are simply failing to protect free speech or prevent antisemitism ( or possibly both) from @wonkhe.bsky.social wonkhe.com/blogs/ofs-re...

A statement from Universities UK on antisemitism Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7th atrocities, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK said:

Universities UK has issued a statement on antisemitism, ahead of the anniversary tomorrow of the 7th October attacks.

Read in full: loom.ly/59nKCIQ

In light of the tragic events in Manchester, we reaffirm our commitment to safe & inclusive universities.

Antisemitism has no place in society or on our campuses.

🔗See our guidance: https://loom.ly/1Mvnups

I wasn’t going to mention it… but he didn’t so much scrap it as increase it.

Plans to fund maintenance grants via an international student levy risk harming access. Our analysis shows government policy could cost the sector £1.4bn this year leaving even less to support disadvantaged students.
https://loom.ly/YVKNP-Y

Universities Challenged - Is it worth it? - BBC Sounds With all the problems facing universities, is it still worth getting a degree?

🎤UUK Chief Executive @viviennestern.bsky.social spoke on the latest episode of the BBC’s Universities Challenged series, on the topic: 'is going to university worth it?'

Listen here⬇️ https://loom.ly/HVm1XgI

Infographic on a blue background reading: Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC). A partnership between five Scottish universities. 39 industry projects delivered £7.5m in new investment secured for firms 170 Scottish companies supported 42 high-value jobs created

🌟How a partnership between 5 Scottish unis is helping to remove barriers for med-tech ideas to reach patients.

See more: loom.ly/b-SiLqo

#DegreesOfImpact @dundee.ac.uk @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @robertgordonuni.bsky.social @heriotwattuni.bsky.social @uniscot.bsky.social

Collage featuring three scenes: person using virtual reality headset in a lab, scientist conducting an experiment in a chemistry lab, and a close-up of a high-tech propulsion system labelled "IAAPS BATH Advancing Propulsion"

Three stand-out initiatives from the #University of Bath are highlighted as part of a new national campaign launched by @universities-uk.bsky.social to showcase how universities connect skills and knowledge across the country, powering jobs, #innovation and #entrepreneurship.

Quote card on a green background and image of Jessica, My Life SC1ence participant reading: 'Before this project, I wasn't in higher education or work. I felt stuck. Traumatic experiences at school left me struggling with social anxiety, making it difficult to put myself out there.'

💬‘Through the project, I not only discovered the vast career opportunities in life sciences ... but also gained the confidence to take my own steps forward.’ Jessica, King’s College London, My Life SC1ence participant

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Knowledge exchange framework: Dashboard Access the dashboard

📢Unis across England are delivering impactful knowledge exchange – a wide range of activities that benefit local communities, businesses and beyond.

Published today, the Knowledge Exchange Framework shows the sector's willingness to measure this impact: https://loom.ly/ej1IbPg

BBC Sounds - Universities Challenged - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Universities Challenged on BBC Sounds.

I think this has been a very good, thoughtful and balanced series www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/serie...

“You just don’t appreciate it. Your universities. Come on. You’re too humble.”
Jensen Huang’s £500m investment is a bold vote of confidence in UK universities and their global tech impact.
Learn more about our digital and tech contributions: https://loom.ly/g5ypATI 🎓📈

He meant well…

@viviennestern.bsky.social MBE, Chief Executive of @universitiesuk.bsky.social, joins host Prof Petra Wend to discuss the challenges facing higher education, including financial sustainability and the evolving landscape of mass university participation.

🎧https://lnkd.in/gm5amWV4

📢 Today we’re proud to launch our campaign, showcasing the vital role UK universities play in the nation’s Industrial Strategy – driving growth in priority sectors, shaping future skills and supporting national renewal. #DegreesOfImpact

See more: loom.ly/b-SiLqo

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The report found the UK has one of the highest completion rates and lowest student dropout rates across the OECD.

80% of students complete their degree in the UK compared to 59% on average across the OECD⬇️

These figures highlight the continued value of HE in the UK.✨

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📈According to the OECD 'Education at a Glance 2025' report, 90% of UK graduates aged 25–34 were in employment in 2024 – above the OECD average of 87%⬇️

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📊The latest OECD 'Education at a Glance 2025' report shows the strong contribution of UK higher education⬇️

📈In 2023, UK graduates earned 37% more than non-graduates.

@oecd-ocde.bsky.social

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Unis help shape the UK's future skills needs, supporting national renewal.🌟

In partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines, @derbyuni.bsky.social created the Nuclear Skills Academy to train the next generation of nuclear engineers.

See more: https://loom.ly/b-SiLqo

BBC Sounds - Universities Challenged - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Universities Challenged on BBC Sounds.

Informative.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/serie...

Boosting foreign students must be part of the industrial ... As the UK’s fourth largest export industry, universities are a missed opportunity in the government’s plan

observer.co.uk/news/busines...

Weekend Reading: Out of Eeyore’s Gloomy Place (rather boggy and sad) - HEPI Universities must embrace change and collaboration to navigate political scepticism and ensure a sustainable, inclusive future.

www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/06/14/w...

UUK boss Vivienne Stern rejects idea DfE needed to prod them:

“We…don’t need any encouragement from anyone to point this out. Indeed I have been enormously frustrated by DFEs refusal to tell us what is on the table. They have been absolutely tight lipped, which is what made us so suspicious.”

UK Home Office’s reform of graduate visas runs into opposition [FREE TO READ] Education department at odds with plan to curb number of overseas students allowed to stay in Britain

on.ft.com/4j8mIm8 UK Home Office’s reform of graduate visas runs into opposition — inter departmental bust-up on this.

Unis can’t afford to lose more lucrative overseas students. Tho @universitiesuk.bsky.social boss tells me they don’t need DfE to point out crimping grad route be a bad idea. 1/2