Universities should prioritise medicine, nursing and
engineering in the aftermath of Covid-19, according to new research.
Results also show the public thinks higher education will be important to the UK's recovery from Covid, and universities are playing a key role supporting the NHS during the crisis.
Professor Jane Harrington, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, said: "Universities have a vital role to play in society, and we have seen many examples of the sector helping during the pandemic especially in the areas of nursing, health, engineering and science.
"Greenwich staff have printed, produced and sourced items of PPE to help front-line, healthcare workers, and made vital equipment available to NHS trusts. Our teaching staff have returned to NHS posts at critical care units.
"Our students have entered the workplace early and have extended placements to support their NHS colleagues, as well as volunteering on the frontline. All of our science, engineering and health students and staff have found ways to support vital services during the pandemic.
"There are many challenges ahead but I am confident that as we continue to equip students they will become amazing graduates that can support us as a society for many years to come."
The major new poll of public attitudes to higher education has been carried out by Public First for University Alliance Universities.
It found that 62 per cent of people believe it is "very important" that universities teach applied subjects (for example nursing, medicine or engineering) as the country tries to rebuild after the Covid19 crisis.
When asked how frontline NHS workers should be trained, 61 per cent said they believed nurses and other medical professionals, such as midwives, should be educated at university, and that more funding should be made available to ramp up the number of places.
In addition, the survey found that more than 70 per cent of people think that universities are going to play an important role in supporting the UK's economic and social recovery post-Covid.
The poll identified improving scientific research for innovation and development (74%), training public sector workers (52%) and providing practical support at times of national crisis (52%) as major priorities.
Separately, on the NHS, the public see a clear link between the work of universities and the increased services that the NHS has delivered during the crisis.
Voters identified contributing to research around a vaccine (71%), sharing laboratories and other facilities (56%) and accelerating training of nurses and other medical professionals (55%) as things that universities were doing as part of the national effort to combat Covid-19.
Public First surveyed 1,003 UK adults between May 13 and May 15. Full results are available at www.publicfirst.co.uk.#
