The New University
From Professor Max Beloff
Sir: Dr Rhodes Boyson needs no defence from me, but Mr Towes (December 27) is ill-informed about the University College at Buckingham and has perhaps , misunderstood the drive behind Mr Edward Heath's
remarks.
Mr Heath is clearly well aware of the fact that this country does not lack facilities for training in engineering and similar disciplines. The problem is a climate of opinion which makes people feel that to take up these opportunities is likely to be unrewarding. Our courses at Buckingham in law and economics, for instance, are, we think, closely related to some of the problems inherent in Britain's competitive position. Mathematical studies do in fact figure in our programme as well as the intensive study of the most important European languages. I would think that in the upshot our student body which contains, and will go on containing, a proportion of mature students with experience in the practical world, will send out people able to hold their own with the French administrators Mr Towes rightly admires.
The interest shown in what we are doing not only by the distinguished industrialists on our Council of Management, but by the personnel officers of a variety of firms, should reassure Mr Towes, and justify Dr Rhodes Boyson's interest in this particular educational experiment.
Max Beloff The University College at Buckingham
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