PwC's bespoke programme for higher education governors delivers high value, free of charge online events to support and guide governors in their role
The UK’s higher education system is valued across the world for its standards and quality. However, the higher education sector is being challenged to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and, more than ever before, to articulate its contribution and value.
University governors have a key part to play in ensuring their institution is financially sound and well governed, but also to deliver change and shape the future of their institutions.
Our programme of bespoke webinars is specifically designed to support university governors in their role and to give them the opportunity to understand key issues and have an opportunity to exchange thoughts and views with peers. Free of charge, our webinars will draw on senior keynote speakers from the higher education sector as well as those who will bring insights from outside the sector.
Date: | 16 November |
Time: | 17.00 - 18.00 GMT |
Governing bodies across the Higher Education Sector play a key role in overseeing academic standards and teaching quality, which is critical for ensuring the education received by students is of a high standard. The role of the governing body in this area has been defined in the Committee of University Chair's Code of Governance to include seeking and receiving assurance on:
The academic quality of an institution is also required to be maintained to meet the conditions of registration set out by the Office for Students. Just as importantly, the expectations of students, parents, employers and University partners on academic quality have continued to increase.
To discuss this topic further, we are delighted to be joined by:
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has recently published a consultation entitled "Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance". Within this consultation are a number of elements which could have a significant impact on Higher Education institutions, covering substantial reform of the corporate governance, reporting and audit system in the UK.
Higher Education governors will need to understand the impact of these recommendations and manage the added requirements. This webinar will talk governors through the proposed changes and actions governors should be taking to support institutional preparation.
As part of this session we will explore:
Faced with unprecedented challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have shown remarkable progress, adapting to exceptionally challenging circumstances. So what have HEIs done and how are they locking in the benefits from their adaptation to the pandemic for future years? What is the financial outlook for HEIs?
PwC interviewed over 30 CFOs from across HEIs to explore these questions and more, which we wish to share with you, alongside other informed perspectives.
Damien Ashford (PwC Partner who led the CFO interviews), will be joined by:
Panellists will be sharing their views with you on the last 12 months and the financial outlook for HEIs.
During this session we will explore:
The global pandemic has accelerated the pace of change to the higher education workforce and universities will need to think differently about their workforce as they look to make cost savings while transforming ways of working and dealing with a new immigration system. This session explored:
The global pandemic has forced organisations to accelerate the adoption of new remote teaching practices, digital technologies and on-line ways of working. It is unclear to what extent this may have long-lasting effects on the traditional ‘campus model’ approach and whether we will see a rise in on-line only learning courses. Aside from the inherent privacy and security risks associated with remote working, more data about students is being gathered than ever before. Some of the information helps to provide personalised services to students; other uses of data enable institutions to track their student’s progress and success post-graduation. Additionally, institutions are part of the modern data environment where data is shared and processed by third parties or using external technology platforms that can present additional privacy risks. Institutions also gather an increasing amount of personal data as part of research programmes particularly in the social and medical sciences which adds to the complexity for already busy privacy teams.. The need to implement appropriate governance and privacy measures to protect personal information is therefore greater than ever before. This session will explore these common challenges and provide you with other data privacy compliance insights.
We are delighted to welcome Gareth Packham, Head of Information Security Management at Oxford Brookes University.
Speakers:
Social mobility is high on the agenda of many universities. In the last decade, universities have made a step change in improving access to higher education despite increases to tuition fees. With the introduction and scrutiny of Access and Participation plans, universities have a greater focus on improving access to existing models of provision for young people. However, as recognised by the Office for Students, this won’t meet the needs of all students, business or public services in future years.
To create a fairer society and for individuals to unlock their potential, universities must focus not only on access, but on delivering a successful experience to students during their studies.
What further changes are needed to create fair and equal access for other student cohorts? How should governors engage with stakeholders to understand the needs of their region? And what part should governors play in challenging progress?
We are delighted to be joined by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, former Cabinet Minister and former Chair of the Social Mobility Commision and Sir Michael Barber, Chair at the Office for Students.
Over the next six months, Governors will have to deal with a number of challenges as the sector looks to establish new ways of working following the COVID-19 pandemic. The CUC has recently released a new Audit Committee Code of Practice, which emphasises the role of the Audit Committee in institutional culture and sustainability. The role of the Audit Committee will be critical in providing independent challenge and scrutiny, in particular as the majority of universities will look to finalise their annual report and financial statements in the coming months.
This session will explore:
The coronavirus outbreak has caused an increase in both the likelihood and impact of cyber attacks, as organisations react rapidly to potentially significant operational and financial challenges.
The nature of the threat is also changing, with attackers exploiting uncertainty and unprecedented situations; from rapidly changing operations and processes to ensuring controls still take place even for remote working.
This session will explore:
As organisations look at what operations will look like during and beyond COVID-19, many universities are considering the role virtual learning will play in their future, particularly while campus learning is not possible.
What questions should governors be asking their senior management teams to ensure the model and methodology being proposed will deliver as it should?
This session will explore:
Higher education providers are under pressure on all fronts, including a reduction in numbers of International Students, uncertainty over domestic students, increased costs from changing operations towards a virtual delivery model and keeping students and staff safe.
This session will explore:
Markets Senior Partner, East Midlands, PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7740 894817