Keele University hosted the first in a new series public debates exploring societal issues affecting higher education, and how universities themselves can be part of the solution, earlier this week.

The opening night of the 'Keele Debates' series heard wide-ranging discussion on the changing face of higher education, with speakers debating issues from the future of universities to rising tuition fees and the growth of cross-border campuses.

The event, held at Keele University on Tuesday 17 February, marked the first of five debates scheduled in this year's series.

The next debate will be held on Wednesday 25 February and will explore whether regional universitiesshould maintain their global ambitions and worldwide research partners, or if their role be focused squarely on home turf and improving the lives of those who live around their campuses.

The first event drew an audience of students, staff, members of the local community, and colleagues from across the higher education sector,  for an evening of lively discussion and measured disagreement, setting the tone for the events still to come.

The debate, titled "The Global University: Are we exporting education or exploiting students?", brought together a high-profile panel of voices from across the higher education sector.

Speakers included Jo Johnson, former Minister of State for Universities; Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK; Jessica Turner, Chief Executive of QS Quacquarelli Symonds; Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London; and Paul Lovegrove, CEO Europe and Global Chief Operating Officer at Navitas.

Opening the debate, Professor Habib criticised the business model for UK universities. "I think the business model is flawed on pedagogical terms, moral terms and commercial terms", he said.

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"The whole system functions on effectively over-charging international students and cross-subsiding domestic students, at least for the last 12 to 15 years. We've now priced our higher education system completely out of the global market place."

However, Mr Johnson, who was Minister of State for Universities, Research and Innovation from July 2016 to January 2018, said: "I fundamentally disagree that UK universities are overcharging.

"That implies international students are being fleeced in some way and if that were the case, word of mouth would have ensured they didn't apply to study in the UK in large numbers, which is evidently not the case.

"Britain isn't a monopoly provider of international education; we have stiff competition from countries around the world."

Keele Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheff, who chaired the debate, said: "The opening debate demonstrated exactly why open discussion matters. The panellists brought with them thoughtful discussion and spirited disagreement, and we had some fantastic questions from audience members.

"We're using these debates within Keele to stimulate thought within our own university, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in the remaining debates in the series."

The next debate will take place on Wednesday 25 February from 6pm to 8pm.

"Local Lives vs Global Goals: Should Keele focus on our region or the wider world?" will consider the civic impact of universities, the role of higher education in economic growth and regeneration, and the often unseen impact that universities have on local healthcare.

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The panel will include Sir Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A and former MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central; Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director of Campaign for Science and Engineering; Carol Shanahan OBE, Chair of Port Vale Football Club; Joan Walley, former MP for Stoke-on-Trent North; Cllr Martin Murray, Acting Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills.

The full video of the first debate is available to view on YouTube, with registration open for the remaining four debates here.

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