Professor Stephen J. Toope, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge gave his annual address to launch the academic year. In it he spoke of the challenges faced by the higher education sector and the need to address how it has become the focus of public and political discontent.
He called on the need for universities to demonstrate the societal, economic, cultural and civic value they can offer.
Speaking on milestones for the University in the past year, he commented: “The creation of the Bennett Institute of Public Policy demonstrated the University’s commitment to contribute to the reimagining of public policy in an era of turbulence and growing inequality. I can think of few academic-driven endeavours that are timelier – or more necessary.”
He finished the address with the following words: “I ask that you join me so that together we make Cambridge not only a university that reflects the society it serves, but one that is able to challenge conventional wisdom and help make our world smarter, more inclusive and fundamentally more decent.”
You can read the full transcript of the address online here.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy.
