The UPP Foundation, the registered independent charity founded by University Partnerships Programme (UPP), the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure, has today announced the formation of the UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission.
The Commission is a major new inquiry to look at how, in light of the disruption everyone has faced during the pandemic, universities can take action to support students from September 2021 to make the best of their remaining time at university and support those who are starting their journey in higher education this year.
It will seek to discover approaches that will help get students’ success back on track from September 2021. This will include considering what additional support needs to be put in place for students – academic and more widely – recognising that student days are a time of learning and living as well as a chance to build a foundation for students’ future professional careers.
The Commission will also consider what opportunities there are to build on a fast-evolving model of higher education, and what developments there have been during the pandemic that could be made more permanent to enhance and augment the student experience post pandemic.
The Commission will be chaired by Mary Curnock Cook OBE, the former Chief Executive of UCAS and a well-known and experienced figure within the world of higher education. Mary will lead a team of around 12 other Commissioners who will work on a voluntary basis during the period of the Commission, which is expected to run until the end of the calendar year. Further Commissioners will be announced shortly. Commissioners will be likely to include members from higher education institutions, students and students’ unions, experts from secondary education, and representatives from the charity and voluntary sector.
Jon Wakeford, Chair of the UPP Foundation Trustee Board and UPP’s Corporate Affairs Director said: “The UPP Foundation has always focused on how the living and learning experience of students can be improved. The Covid pandemic has, however, disrupted many of the expectations of students. Working in partnership with universities, students and the sector, the Student Futures Commission is seeking to start a national conversation about how best to build-back a sustainable, fully immersive experience, helping students get back on track for success.”
Find out more about the new Commission on its dedicated page on the UPP Foundation website, or by emailing upp-foundation@upp-ltd.com
