iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/08/2026

Second she cites "Golf Course Management"… ...which doesn't exist (AFAIK), although several unis run degrees in Golf Management, including a BSc at Birmingham (in association with the PGA) and an MSc at Ulster described below. Sounds very useful to me.

The Master's degree in Golf Management is a comprehensive programme designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic and evolving golf industry. This specialised curriculum integrates business management principles with an understanding of golf operations, hospitality management, event planning, tourism and industry trends.

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 09/07/2026

The good people of #Clacton may be interested in data published today, broken down by constituency, showing the net economic impact of international students (ie. AFTER public costs). They gain over £2million, amounting to the equivalent of £20 in the pocket of every resident.

111

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 07/07/2026

I made a couple of friends in the park today.

020

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 18/06/2026

#EANCongress26 is underway at @unistrathclyde.bsky.social with the opening keynote by Prof Sir Jim McDonald, who recently received Scotland’s highest honour, Knight of the Order of the Thistle, but we trumped that by also awarding him the @epc.ac.uk’s President’s Prize.

011

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 17/06/2026

With #EANCongress26 starting today, this compelling piece by @bevgibbs.bsky.social is brilliantly timely and a must-read for the whole HE sector, not just “canaries in the coal mine” in engineering. @epc.ac.uk wonkhe.com/blogs/are-we...

001

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/06/2026

Next at #hepiac26 the launch of the findings from the Student Academic Experience Survey 2026. Alastair Jarvis, @advancehe.bsky.social starts us off highlighting some of the key stats including that just 7% of grads would not go to uni if they had their time again.

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/06/2026

Baroness Smith, Minister for Skills, kicks off #HEPIAC26 @hepi-news.bsky.social by talking about instability and change: “we need to be resilient and ready, not despairing, open to opportunities”

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 12/05/2026

They were clearly particularly persuaded by our comments on the precarity of strategically critical subjects particularly in relation to dependence on international students.

Screenshot of the report which says "The Engineering Professors' Council similarly said, within the context of engineering courses, "Government should urgently embed international recruitment into a sustainable funding strategy, rather than allowing it to remain the only viable backfill for domestic underfunding". This reflected a wider view that Government immigration policy had to take account of its impact on the financial sustainability of the higher education sector."

100

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 23/04/2026

We’re back from the lunch break for a panel with (L-R): Brooke Storer-Church, Guild HE CEO; Amanda Broderick, UEL VC; Omar Khan, TASO-HE CEO; Nick Hillman, HEPI Director; Les Ebdon, Chair of PAQ Steering Group.

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 19/03/2026

I could not be more excited today as the @epc.ac.uk announces our annual lecturer for 2026 and it is one of my personal hero/ines, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell. epc.ac.uk/event/jbb2026/

101

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 29/10/2025

I was very pleased yesterday to be invited to the parliamentary launch of #ResearchPlus, a new grouping of research-led universities. (New website here: lnkd.in/eq2Bk7Fp) 1/14

Peter Kyle speaks at the parliamentary launch of Research Plus with Sasha Roseneil

110

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 03/10/2025

Bricks shouldn’t try to teach birds how to fly, so, Bibi, please forgive us for not seeking your advice on reducing divisions in society.

030

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 10/06/2025

Our opening keynote at #EANCongress25 kicks off to a packed room. Prof Malcolm Press, Manchester Met VC and Universities UK incoming President, spells out the challenges and opportunities for HE and engineering academics.

012

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 09/06/2025

The hour is nigh. #EANCongress25 starts today!

000

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 11/03/2025

On behalf of @engprofcouncil.bsky.social, I have today written to the Education Secretary @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social to express concern about plans to defund #Level7Apprenticeships in engineering. Here is what I said: epc.ac.uk/article/lett...

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 21/02/2025

The @FT has published my letter on behalf of @engprofcouncil.bsky.social in response to their coverage of the 14% rise in applications to engineering and technology reported this week. www.ft.com/content/c6e4... (£)

131

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 18/02/2025

I'm delighted to feature on both @wonkhe.bsky.social &, with @bevgibbs.bsky.social, on @hepi-news.bsky.social's sites today. (The timing is coincidence not campaign.) I'm less pleased by the accompanying cliché stock images of engineers: women of colour in hard hats & hi vis, looking at machines.

121

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 16/02/2025

The Lifelong Education Institute Annual Conference on 29/4/25 has a tremendous speaker line-up: @fionaaldridge.bsky.social @tombewick.bsky.social @stephenevans.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com @benrowland.bsky.social, Baroness Alison Wolf & more... Register at www.lifelongeducation.uk/schedule/lif...

114

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 14/02/2025

Not to worry, suggests @makeuk.bsky.social – there are non-graduate pathways into engineering. www.ft.com/content/738a... 21/27

130

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 14/02/2025

Last year's rise in applications did not lead to a rise in the number of UK engineering students. Numbers have more or less stagnated since the pandemic. 9/27

Graph shows engineering student numbers steady at about 150k until 2019, then climbing to 170k over two years and then staying there ever since.

130

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 14/02/2025

And – unlike financial services, say – engineering is a powerhouse of #RegionalDevelopment, spread remarkably evenly throughout the country. www.engc.org.uk/media/4587/m... 6/27

Infographic shows proportions working in engineering in different UK regions varying from 15% in London to 21% in the East Midlands.

180

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 14/02/2025

Certainly, there's a keen labour market for more engineers. EngineeringUK has suggested the shortfall is around 29,000 graduates every year. According to @britishchambers.bsky.social (www.britishchambers.org.uk/wp-content/u...), it's pretty much the largest skills gap in the UK economy. 4/27

List shows engineers and the shortage role most cited by businesses in a poll. https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The_Open_University_Business_Barometer_2024.pdf

140

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 14/02/2025

The latest UCAS data (applications by the January 'equal consideration' deadline) suggest a 14% increase in applications to Engineering & Technology courses. It's the second double-digit surge in two years. Good news, right? Sadly, it's mostly not. Buckle in: 🧵1/27 www.ucas.com/undergraduat...

Graph shows the sharp increase in engineering and technology applications

23627

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 12/02/2025

Sally Mapstone, HEPI Chair, introduces @hepi-news.bsky.social / @advancehe.bsky.social event at the House of Commons on #inclusion. At a time when there is an insidious movement dismissing equity and basic fairness as ‘wokeism’, this promises to be an important discussion.

122

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 10/01/2025

"Have you finished writing the Daily, yet, Jim?" "Yup, I'm just polishing it off." @wonkhe.bsky.social @jimdickinson.bsky.social

120

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 05/01/2025

Such as an actual criminal record, perhaps?

020

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 10/12/2024

@jimdickinson.bsky.social is presenting 'Belong' research on student working by @wonkhe.bsky.social / Cybil. 2/3rds of students are doing paid work just to pay bills. 1 in 6 needs to work to support their family. More than 1/2 work more than 15hrs/wk (the level considered detrimental to study).

002

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 02/12/2024

I'll be speaking at this free @hepi-news.bsky.social/CDBU event on 16/1/25, arguing the case for grad employer contributions #FairerFunding Mail cdbuchair@gmail.com to attend in person/online @nickhillman.bsky.social @timleunig.bsky.social @rstephenson123.bsky.social

Who Pays? Exploring Fairer Funding
Models for Higher Education
A SYMPOSIUM JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY INSTITUTE
The UK's higher education system faces many challenges, of which the largest is student fees. Many proposals are circulating but none commands a consensus. The CDBU and HEPI are holding this day-long symposium to consider solutions, to examine wider issues of justice and to look at alternative continental models. The day's outcomes will be forwarded to government.
JANUARY 16 2025 | BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
RUSSELL SQUARE, WC1E 7HX | HYBRID EVENT | 10-5PM
Please email cdbuchair@gmail.com to register your in-person or virtual attendance

041

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 20/11/2024

Grok is totally trolling Elon and X right now.

030

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 19/11/2024

Fascinating discussion currently on #SkillsInSchools in the Lifelong Education Institute webinar (with Andy Forbes, Joanne Harper, Tim Coulson & Dave Phoenix). Is there a false dichotomy between a knowledge-based and skills-based curriculum?

130

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 30/09/2024

I’m a cosignatory of a letter from The Fair Access Coalition in today’s Times welcoming reports over the weekend of a potential planned return of maintenance grants. www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...

Letter text: It is essential that any changes to maintenance grants increase the overall amount of support students are getting. Simply replacing some loan entitlement with grants will not help students to pay the bills. Going to university remains one of the best choices a young person can make to increase their chances of getting a good job. Proposals such as these this will help to turn Labour's opportunity mission into reality.
The Fair Access Coalition
Laura Gray CEO, Brightside; Anne-Marie Canning CEO, The Brilliant Club; Sam Holmes CEO, Causeway; Steve Haines
director of public affairs, Impetus; Rachel Carr
CEO, IntoUniversity; Jonny Rich CEO, Push;
Nick Bent CEO, UpReach; Jayne Taylor CEO, The Elephant Group; Anna Searle CEO, The Access Project

Letter to the editor of The Times: Student grants
Sir, The report in your article ("University. tuition fees 'to rise with inflation'", Sep 28) of a potential increase in maintenance grants for university students is most welcome. Support for students on low incomes to cover rent, food and travel has not kept up with inflation. This is a significant concern for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds considering applying to higher education. Our experience of working with thousands of these students means we know first-hand the extreme hardships they face as undergraduates.

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 27/09/2024

Excellent and helpful summary by Rose Stephenson & @josh-freeman.bsky.social of discussions about #HigherEd at the fringe events of the #LabourPartyConference2024. www.hepi.ac.uk/2024/09/27/t... I particularly liked this bit 😉:

011

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 30/08/2024

Meanwhile, over on the #hellsite, efforts to keep out the fake accounts are clearly going well...

220

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 15/08/2024

I'm especially proud today to be a governor of The Charter School East Dulwich, where the second ever cohort of sixth formers have excelled in their #ALevels and #BTECs Congratulations to all the students and staff for your hard work.

Press release showing a second year of strong A level results at the Charter School East Dulwich

000

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 03/10/2023

New report by @Lifelong_Ed with @HarperAdamsUni on lifelong learning in #AgriFood sector. The pace of innovation creates a need for urgent up-/re-skilling. Congratulations to @mariusostrowski @res_publica and everyone who worked on this. www.lifelongeducation.uk/research-1/h...

010

Johnny Rich @johnnyrich.com · 02/10/2023

I'm intrigued to know if I'm being cited or if I'm a case study.

Screenshot of an email saying that "the name Johnny Rich is mentioned in The Rules of Insanity: Moral Responsibility and the Mentally Ill Offender uploaded to Academia"

000