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Treasury power 'threatens academic freedom', keynote speech at UCL will claim

27 February 2002

The Treasury's control of UK higher education has gone too far that it threatens to infringe on institutional autonomy and scholastic freedom, a keynote speech to be delivered as part of the Provost's Lecture Series at University College London (UCL) will argue next week.

Former Times editor and influential columnist, Simon Jenkins, will deliver a speech - Academics and the Treasury: The Thirty Years War - at UCL on Wednesday 6 March 2002 at 6.00pm

The Provost's Lecture Series provides a platform for renowned speakers to address a distinguished audience on issues of major interest. The lectures contribute to UCL's mission to understand the past, challenge the present and help shape the future.

Speaking in advance of the Wednesday lecture, the Provost and President of UCL, Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith said:

"The lecture series illuminates contemporary issues of major importance. Universities play an important role in expanding our understanding of these issues, in defining the terms of debate and shaping their outcome. UCL, now the UK's leading university in terms of research income, is an ideal venue to foster debates involving major figures from around the world. I am delighted that such a respected figure as Simon Jenkins will be delivering this lecture."