Student listening programme
In October 2007, the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills launched the Student Listening Programme. It was designed to amplify the student voice in Government.
The Listening Programme had three elements:
- BIS Ministers toured Higher Education Institutions, taking part in question and answer sessions with students.
- A Minister for Students had explicit responsibility for speaking up for students' views and interests in Government.
- The National Student Forum worked, in partnership with student representation and HE sector groups, to provide:
An ideal vision of what it would be like for students if everything was working well
Suggestions as to how individual universities and colleges can support students
Recommendations for government and national HE sector organisations
The Student Listening Programme formed part of the Government's commitment to a new style of politics and citizen engagement, giving the users of public services opportunities to have their say in how these should be delivered.
The Listening Programme built on mechanisms such as the National Student Survey, which has become an accepted and respected means of capturing student views on specific aspects of their academic experience.
