Sir Martin Harris, Manchester University vice-chancellor, is reportedly to chair a regional grouping of higher education institutions in the Northwest (For the Record, THES, March 31). Glad to hear it.
A feasibility study was conducted at the time of the so-called "convergence" of the Committee of Vice-chancellors and Principals and the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics. As CDP director of public affairs I suggested the new body (with 110 or so members) comprise ten regional groupings with elected representatives on a central (CVCP) management committee.
The consultants' report contained not a word about regionalisation. The CVCP had said "it would never work" and that old universities "would never agree to communicate with the new". Time has proved this wrong.
At the time of the merger, I also proposed a change of name for the CVCP. This, too, was dismissed out of hand. Now, thanks to Scottish devolution, the CVCP is anxiously seeking a change of title. Still, better late than never, eh?
John Izbicki London SE22