On the attack

How should universities position themselves in the years after the pandemic?

In his speech at the Higher Education Policy Institute’s annual conference last week, education secretary Gavin Williamson gave us his hot take on what education is for. “We must never forget that the purpose of education is to give people the skills that will lead to a fulfilling working life,” he said.

If pushed on the matter, Playbook would probably conclude that Nelson Mandela’s view—that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”—is slightly better than Gavin’s, but it’s a close-run thing. After all, was it not Mandela who said: “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again—and by my salary five years after graduation.” [Citation needed—Ed]