Could you rethink Robbins?

Last week, the Department for Education and Employment named six objectives for higher education as part of its input to the Dearing committee. Now you are invited to do better, courtesy of Peter Knight, vice chancellor of the University of Central England, and The THES. At his suggestion, we are asking you to devise a statement - maximum 40 words - setting out the aims of higher education in the modern era, replacing the four adumbrated by Robbins in 1963.

The deadline for submissions, to a panel including Dr Knight and Auriol Stevens, editor of The THES, is the end of September, and the first prize is a plaque engraved with the winning statement, from UCE's famed School of Jewellery.

Entries to The THES, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1 9XY, fax 0171 782 3300, email astevens@thes.co.uk