Keep that door open (1 of 2)

An Ipsos MORI poll published earlier this week showing that children from single-parent families are nearly three times as likely to say that their family could not afford for them to enter higher education as those living in two-parent homes is another wake-up call.

As a sector we must do more to address this. We know the facts: the changing global economy will require more graduates who are adaptable, resilient, comfortable handling complex information and able to provide leadership and new ideas. To succeed and prosper as a country, we need to harness the talents of the many. We cannot let this kind of misinformation prevent anyone experiencing the transformational power of higher education.

We want to lay down the gauntlet for leaders across the sector to work together over the next 12 months to again press the case for the value of higher education. Our project "university_vision" is about creating a genuine and positive sector-wide platform for debate about the future.

Access is a fundamental issue that we must get right. We must ensure that anyone who is willing and able to study at tertiary level understands the life-changing benefits of doing so and has a place to take up. We are committed to working with everyone who is willing to help us raise the flag for higher education.

Libby Hackett, Chief executive, University Alliance