The big story this week was the publication of the e government’s post-16 education and skills white paper.

What is in the post-16 education and skills white paper for higher education? Well WonkHE as per usual does a really good job of analysing what was in it for higher education.

In terms of strategic ambition, there are five objectives for the sector: economic growth, a high quality experience, national capability via specific research and skills development, regional impact, and an increase in international standing. In the international domain, these translate into global standing, nationally to government goals on growth, security and skills, regionally to meeting skills needs through collaboration, and at provider level, to specialisation and efficiency.

There was much discussion about collaboration and sharing by providers, as well as a focus on specialisation.

Though the news about increased fees will be welcomed by institutions, I wonder what the reaction will be from prospective students. Yes, student fee debt, is not really debt as often explained by Martin Lewis, but as he says the amount you borrow is mostly irrelevant day to day – it works more like a tax. The reality is that extra 9% tax on earnings above £25,000 will make a difference, in terms of things like mortgage affordability, but also when comparing graduate income levels to non-graduate income levels. Throw in the temptations of a degree apprenticeship where there are no fees and debts (and you get paid). Could we see a paradigm shift in young people going to university? There is no longer talk about 50% of young people going to university, this has been swapped with the two-thirds under-25 participation in higher-level learning.

Next week we have a Korean delegation from KERIS visiting us in our London offices. With over twenty five delegates there was some logistical stuff to sort out, as well as my travel.

I continued working on the E in NREN project, planning for two workshops in November, as well as thinking about a session at TNC 26 in Helsinki in June next year.

At the end of the week I was in Glasgow for the Association for Learning Technology Conference (ALT-C). This year it is both shorter than usual, later than usual. Unlike previous conferences, it is taking place in a hotel rather than an university. In the past ALT-C was a three day conference, this year it was concentrated into two days.

I really enjoyed and got a lot out of the conference. I have been part of this community for over twenty years, attending my first ALT-C back in 2003.