University News Last updated 15 January
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University (BCU), has been appointed to the Office for Students’ (OfS) newly established Provider Panel, which will help shape the future of higher education regulation in England.
The Provider Panel brings together senior leaders from universities, colleges and specialist institutions to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the OfS, offering advice and constructive challenge on how regulation affects students and providers across the sector.
BCU’s inclusion reflects its position as one of England’s most diverse universities and its role as a key anchor institution in Birmingham, with strong regional, employer and community links.
Professor Mba (pictured) said: “Birmingham City University has one of the most diverse student communities in England and plays a crucial role as an anchor institution in Birmingham.
“I felt it was important that our perspective is reflected in how the sector is regulated.
“As a university with strong employer and regional links, BCU brings practical insight into how regulation impacts students and institutions on the ground. I look forward to helping ensure that the work of the OfS supports opportunity, quality and diversity across English higher education.”
Chaired by OfS board member Verity Hancock OBE, the Provider Panel includes 11 senior leaders from registered and unregistered institutions and forms part of the OfS’s formal governance arrangements.
The panel will work closely with the OfS Board and senior leadership team, contributing to the regulator’s strategic priorities and annual business planning.
The OfS has said the panel will help strengthen collaboration with the sector and ensure regulation reflects the experiences and challenges faced by a wide range of higher education providers, ultimately supporting positive outcomes for students.
BCU’s representation on the panel reinforces the University’s commitment to student opportunity, inclusive growth and civic impact, while ensuring that the voices of diverse institutions and communities are heard at a national level.
Read the official announcement here.