ABSTRACT
The HE sector has become increasingly complex in recent years, and at the same time the influence of Government has become more evident. These two themes were highlighted in the Government’s White Paper ‘The future of higher education’ published in January 2003. The White Paper was open for consultation until 30 April 2003 but only relatively minor changes were made following this process. The White Paper clearly set out Government thinking on HE, and more overtly than ever before stressed its view that HE could not exist in an academic vacuum but must relate to the world of business and the community. Following this, in March 2003, HEFCE produced a Strategic Plan for the HE Sector in England which took into account the White Paper. Consultation on this plan closed on 27 May 2003.
