The impact of the UK’s world-leading specialist institutions – such as Harper Adams University – has been celebrated at an event in London

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan and Harper Adams alumnus Tom York were among the policymakers, sector leaders, industry partners, alumni and students invited to the Courtauld Gallery for Excellence in Action, an evening celebrating the impact of England's world-leading specialist institutions. 

The event was hosted by the Courtauld Institute of Art in partnership with Universities UK (UUK). It brought together specialist institutions working across the creative industries, design, health professions, science and technology. 

The focus of the evening was the contribution these institutions make to the UK's skills, research, culture and international standing. Guests heard from people whose careers have been shaped by specialist higher education and discussed how these institutions can continue to support innovation, opportunity and growth.

Professor Sloan was at the event both as a member of Universities UK, and as Chair of GuildHE - the national representative body for specialist and distinctive higher education institutions.

Professor Sloan said: “Several GuildHE members benefit from World Leading Specialist Teaching funding, but the organisation also advocates for specialist institutions to have access to sustainable funding to enable them to continue to be a visible and successful part of the UK's HE system. 

“The experience they offer to students is distinctive and this choice should continue to be available to students across the UK.”

World-leading specialist institutions provide specialist education, skills and research across sectors including the creative industries, health, business, agriculture and veterinary science. Much of their teaching is practice-based, taking place in research, clinical, technical and professional environments. 

Many of these institutions are recognised as global leaders in their specialist fields. Their international standing, alumni networks and collaborations help the UK attract talent and investment, and extend UK influence through internationally recognised expertise, research and leadership. 

Strategic Priorities Grant funding, which includes world-leading specialist funding, has fallen by 42 per cent in real terms since 2015-16. Because student numbers have grown, per-student funding rates are down 59 per cent. The evening was a timely reminder of why these specialist institutions are so vital for the UK’s economy and cultural life. 

Tom was one of two alumni from specialist institutions who addressed guests, with other speeches given by businessman and crossbench peer Lord Browne and former BBC Director General Tim Davie.

Professor Sloan added: “The sectors which our university serves are key to some of the most fundamental challenges facing the world – feeding a growing population and doing so sustainably, ensuring both animal and plant welfare and the welfare of our planet.

“They are also fundamental to the UK economy, contributing billions each year.

“As a University, most of our undergraduate degrees have also been designed to include a full year’s placement in industry, so our students not only gain the specialised skills which employers want – but they get to test them in the real world.

“It is little wonder, then, that we have an extremely strong record for graduate employment.”