MPs met in Westminster Hall earlier this week for a debate on postgraduate education opened by Barry Sheerman MP.

Responding to the debate on behalf of the government, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

“I accept that there is concern about postgraduate issues. We recognise the need to monitor closely what is happening, investigate if problems arise and be absolutely clear what they are and what will need to be done about them.”

He added: “The coalition recognises the value of the postgraduate experience to both the individual and the economy. We recognise that it is a key part of our universities’ role, and that it has grown more rapidly than the undergraduate experience. It is a source of important revenue, notably external revenue, for our universities.”

Responding for the Opposition, Shadow Higher Education Minister Shabana Mahmood welcomed the Higher Education Commission’s inquiry into postgraduate education saying: “I am sure that all Members of the House look forward to the commission’s report, which will be produced once that inquiry is complete.”

 She added: “taught postgraduate education creates an increase in the national skills base and in earning capacity, and in that way benefits the economy and growth. Also essential to innovation and economic growth is research-based postgraduate education, through which we have the best chance of stimulating the kind of innovation we need to effect the rebalancing of our economy and get back to long-term growth, and we believe that the Government can and should play an active role in that… We punch above our weight in the world, but with increasing competition from across the globe the Government must ensure that we keep pace with our competitor countries”

Other contributors to the debate included Roberta Blackman Woods MP, Rehman Chishti MP, Paul Blomfield MP and Gavin Shuker MP.

A full transcript of the debate can be read here.

Posted 27 January 2012