It was reported that the University is generally content with the
support provided by the UGC and regarded the UGC as a helpful buffer in maintaining
academic freedom. However, the University expressed some concerns about the operation and
interface with the UGC. In particular:
- the number of requests for information at short notice which require significant
investment of time and resource at institutional level. It is acknowledged that the UGC
may itself have had relatively short notice for such requests, however, these requests can
leave institutions feeling that they are being distracted from their own agenda. The
extent to which the data provided as part of such requests is returned in a standardised
format, is audited and disseminated is also an issue for concern (e.g.- the UGC Common
Data Collection exercise)
- the constraints applied in determining institutional missions and how this is reflected
in particular policies, for example the quota of research students allocated to the
University;
- the transparency of UGC's own funding methodology.
