Minister supports the HE Information Landscape project

Delivering the Politeia Winter Address yesterday, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts highlighted the Information Landscape project as a significant strand in the commitment to easing burdens on the HE sector. The Minister said:

"I have discussed the issue of data collection with people from across the HE sector, and there is a widespread desire to go back to first principles. We need to establish precisely what information we already collect, what we actually need and why – and to reconcile the two, so that collection is useful and proportionate for all institutions concerned. I'm pleased that the Information Landscape project – launched just last month, and with input from all parts of the sector – is seeking answers to these essential questions."

Describing the scope of the work ahead the Minister said:

“Participants will be identifying any 'quick wins' for easing the burden on universities, as well as publishing a road map for implementing a simpler model overall.”

Alison Allden, Chief Executive of HESA, said:

"I am very pleased HESA is hosting this project and we are excited to be driving forward this very important and timely initiative with HEFCE and all our partners in the sector."

The Information Landscape project begins its consultation phase today with the launch of the project website landscape.hesa.ac.uk

Notes for Editors

1. Press enquiries should be directed to:

   HESA Press Office
   01242 211120
   pressoffice@hesa.ac.uk
   95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ.

2. The project arises from the BIS White Paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System ’ which discussed a new regulatory framework for HE in England and tasked HESA (working with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Better Regulation Group and the Information Standards Board for education and skills) to redesign the information landscape in order to arrive at a new system that meets the needs of a wider group of users; reduces the duplication that currently exists and results in timelier and more relevant data


3. The Information Landscape project is part of a broader programme of work initiated under the auspices of the Interim Regulatory Partnership Group (IRPG). Further information about IRPG is published on the HEFCE website here: www.hefce.ac.uk/about/intro/wip/interimregulatorypartnershipgroupirpg/

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