ILT will live on 1

Reports of the demise of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education are greatly exaggerated ("Teaching academy could doom ILT", THES , January 31). The ILTHE, formerly the ILT, in fact jointly proposed establishing an Academy for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching with the Learning and Teaching Support Network and the Higher Education Staff Development Agency.

As the ILTHE's chair, I have been closely involved in shaping the Cooke committee's recommendations on enhancing learning and teaching.

They do not imply a "death-knell" for the ILTHE but rather build on its successful national professional accreditation scheme and the commitment of its individual members. All the key functions and activities of the ILTHE will be carried forward into any new organisation.

However, we will be looking for reassurance that the academy's proposed governance arrangements, structure and operation are in the best interests of our members. In particular, we will want to ensure that it remains, like the ILTHE, an independent body representing teaching practitioners.

Kenneth C. Calman
Vice-chancellor and warden
University of Durham