Parents aren't convinced by the alternatives to University. A survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that 97 per cent of mothers want their kids to go to a University. The last few weeks have shown just how much a place at University is valued by young people and their families. Our Universities face enormous challenges and opportunities. With Ministers denouncing Tony Blair's target of 50 per cent of children going to Universities while record numbers enroll despite the rise in tuition fees, what is the future for UK Universities?

Speakers at this event:

 Brooks Newmark - Former MP for Braintree, Minister for Civil Society and Government Whip. A Graduate of Oxford and Harvard who has been on the board of Harvard and The London Business School. Brooks Co-founded the charity A Partner in Education, which helps Rwandan teachers to give the nation's children an improved education  

Lance Austen - Previously an Area Director within Lloyds Bank he now Lectures in Business and Accountancy. Lance is a Councillor in Devon and is on the approved parliamentary candidates list

Tukeer Hussain - Former Ethnic Minority Officer for the University of Birmingham and adviser for the Sutton Trust, Tukeer is now a Policy Advisor.