UNIVERSITIES minister David Willetts praised Oxford Brookes University as a “vision” of what universities could do in the future as he made his first ministerial keynote speech.

Mr Willetts spent about half an hour touring the motorsports school at the university’s Wheatley campus today, speaking to students and staff before addressing an invited audience of vice-chancellors and education officials at the Gipsy Lane, Oxford, site.

He announced requirements for all universities to publish employability statements, showing how establishments helped students get jobs after graduation, and suggested further education colleges could train students to take exams set by other universities.

He told the Oxford Mail: “At Oxford Brookes you can see what a modern university looks like, with youngsters designing, building and racing cars, doing PhDs and dissertations on particular challenges.

“This is my vision of what universities can do in the future. It is a good example of the combination of academic rigour and strong links with local business and industry that we need.”

Mr Willetts would not be drawn on whether the cap on tuition fees – currently up to £3,225 a year – would be removed, and said he was awaiting the results of Lord Browne’s review some point during the summer.

Oxford’s two universities employ thousands of people, from lecturers to gardeners.

Asked whether funding cuts at universities would have a direct impact on jobs, Mr Willetts said: “If people look at the decisions Vince Cable and I have been taking, although times are tight, we have been able to continue to support science and research.

“I cannot guarantee any individual jobs but I think Oxford has a great future.”

Brookes University vice-chancellor Janet Beer said: “Decisions that will be made on fees, research funding and student finance will have huge implications.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk