Vice-chancellors warn research collaborations are key to survival

University leaders are predicting more collaborations and alliances across higher education as research funding becomes concentrated on “a small elite of less than 20 institutions”, according to a survey.

In its annual survey of vice-chancellors, PA Consulting revealed that higher education leaders believe academic and business partnerships could become more widespread, with one vice-chancellor warning that universities with research income below £20 million would have to “reconsider the future of their research activities”.

In a foreword to PA Consulting’s report, University of Sunderland vice-chancellor David Bell—a former permanent secretary at the then Department for Education and Skills—wrote: “The institutions that will thrive and succeed in the future are those that spot new opportunities and discern market movements, move with pace to exploit them ahead of others, focus on value, and keep costs ruthlessly under control.”