Recent Press Releases
More STEM students wanted
Institute of Physics
PR41 (09)
Mon, 3 August 2009
The Institute of Physics (IOP) welcomes the report published today by the House of Commons Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, "Students and Universities".
IOP’s Chief Executive Dr Robert Kirby-Harris commented, "This report provides a comprehensive review of the current state of the higher education sector. Its publication is especially timely, in advance of the government's forthcoming review of higher education. I hope that review will address the major challenges identified by the IUSS Committee.
A particular challenge highlighted by the Committee, is the provision of good quality, reliable careers advice to prospective university applicants. Too often students are ill-informed when they make their subject choices. Their future employment prospects would often be better served by choosing more challenging courses in STEM subjects, such as physics. So would the national interest; science and engineering have the potential to provide a sound basis for future economic growth, and there is a continuing shortage of graduates with the necessary skills.
The government must continue its efforts to encourage more students to apply for STEM subjects, and make new places available that are fully funded by the higher education funding councils."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Contact
1. For further information contact IOP Press Officer, Joe Winters:
Tel: 020 7470 4815
Mobile: 07946 321473
E-mail: joseph.winters@iop.org
The Institute of Physics
2. The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of more than 36 000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public. Its publishing company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in scientific publishing and the electronic dissemination of physics. Go to www.iop.org.
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