Quality body role to be debated

Key questions about the role of the proposed new higher education quality agency and the nature of quality in universities and colleges are to be addressed before the body is set up, it emerged this week.

Vice chancellors representing the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals say meetings of the joint planning group for the agency will be used to tackle some of the more fundamental issues as well as the mechanics of bringing together quality assessment and audit.