England¡¯s higher education regulator is?launching a?new ¡°student interest board¡±, which will incorporate students¡¯ unions and university staff as?well as?current learners.

for the new Office for Students committee, which will replace the watchdog¡¯s existing student panel.

The OfS said the membership would be ¡°a?mix of?students, staff and officers from students¡¯ unions, staff from universities and colleges who work on student issues, and others who can share on students¡¯ interests¡±.

The shift responds to long-running criticism of the regulator¡¯s engagement with students. The independent review of the OfS by Sir?David Behan ¨C now the organisation¡¯s interim chair ¨C concluded that ¡°there was broad consensus that student voice and perspective was noticeably absent from the OfS¡±.

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In his report, Sir David criticised a?¡°lack of meaningful engagement with student bodies¡±, including the National Union of Students and campus students¡¯ unions, and said the existing panel was ¡°not a?source of intelligence on student priorities¡±, and as such members ¡°believed they did not have the opportunity to input on the issues they felt were most important to students¡±.

The OfS said the new student interest board would be a committee of the main OfS board, as recommended by Sir?David.

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Susan Lapworth, the OfS¡¯ chief executive, said the new board was ¡°a?critical part of our new approach to working with students¡±.

¡°It will provide us with a diverse range of experiences and insight from students, from those working in policy development, and from people with experience of working with and for students,¡± Ms?Lapworth said.

¡°This mix of members will ensure we¡¯re hearing strong student voices, and also the contributions of those who work closely with students, and who can bring their experiences and expertise to our work.

¡°I¡¯d encourage anyone who is committed to working with us to improve the experiences of students across the country to apply.¡±

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chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com