Wham, bam, no thanks Uncle Sam

Tim Knox (Opinion, THES, September 8) paints a picture of long-suffering universities being repeatedly undermined by the state. But students have had it much harder.

We have seen many changes for the worse. Currently, we are chasing a model that is in some ways similar to the Australian system. This has problems because it has much to offer students with well-off parents who are prepared to fund them. Those with unsupportive or poorer families lose out.

In a knowledge-based economy, we must recognise that government investment in universities will see a well-educated society rising to the top in a global market. Investment by the people for the people for a real return benefiting society should be the long-term thinking behind any education funding models.

James Cemmell

Education officer

Leeds University Union