Function
It is there to facilitate the sharing of expertise amongst UK universities, arranged in groups (subject centres) of closely related academic subjects. It mediates between different universities to keep the academic departments that work in the same field 'rowing in the same direction'. An analogy could be that of a conductor in an orchestra and the subject areas would be represented by the different orchestral instruments. It supports the sector in providing the best possible learning experience for all students. It does this by: — providing national leadership in developing and disseminating evidence-informed practice about enhancing the student learning experience; — operating as an independent broker, enabling expertise to be shared across institutions and subject areas; — working at multiple levels, with individual academics, subject communities, departments, faculties and institutions; — working across all parts of the UK, recognising the distinctive policy contexts and priorities of the devolved administrations but also providing opportunities to share expertise among them. The Academy is an independent organisation funded by grants from the four UK higher education funding bodies, subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant and contract income for specific initiatives.
Read more about this topic: Higher Education Academy
Famous quotes containing the word function:
“Uses are always much broader than functions, and usually far less contentious. The word function carries overtones of purpose and propriety, of concern with why something was developed rather than with how it has actually been found useful. The function of automobiles is to transport people and objects, but they are used for a variety of other purposes—as homes, offices, bedrooms, henhouses, jetties, breakwaters, even offensive weapons.”
—Frank Smith (b. 1928)
“The uses of travel are occasional, and short; but the best fruit it finds, when it finds it, is conversation; and this is a main function of life.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Our father has an even more important function than modeling manhood for us. He is also the authority to let us relax the requirements of the masculine model: if our father accepts us, then that declares us masculine enough to join the company of men. We, in effect, have our diploma in masculinity and can go on to develop other skills.”
—Frank Pittman (20th century)