Numbers don't add up

Universities can bid to host a new centre for excellence in learning and teaching on the basis of student numbers, with one bid per 5,000 students, three for £15,000, according to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's consultation proposals circulating now. It asks if the idea is "transparent" and "robust".

I can think of other words, none positive nor complimentary. If we are talking about teaching excellence, would it not be more appropriate to relate the number of bids to teaching quality as indicated by the average Quality Assurance Agency review rating?

Richard Wakeford
Hughes Hall, Cambridge