UNIVERSITIES are critical to Britain and the Government must cherish, value and properly support them, a Nobel Prize winning scientist told a North-East audience today (Wednesday, October 24).

Sir Paul Nurse, a world-renowned geneticist and cell biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (CORRECT), used the platform of officially opening a new £50m headquarters development at Durham University to make a public plea for support for higher education.

He told his audience at the newly completed Palatine Centre, in Durham: “Universities need to be cherished, valued and properly supported. I want the Government to note that, so I’ll repeat it.”

Later, he told The Northern Echo: “I think the Universities Minister (David Willetts) is very supportive of universities but they’re going through major changes with the switch into (variable) student fees.

“We have to keep a very close eye on that – that it actually works. They were working well before. These changes can work but the transition could be difficult and they have to make sure it actually works.

“Universities are critical to Britain. They’re earners for Britain.”

Professor Chris Higgins, Durham University’s vice-chancellor, endorsed Sir Paul’s public comments, saying: “We’re in competition with the rest of the world. We need to be freed up to compete, which means getting rid of red tape and regulations.

“Who knows best what makes us competitive but the university itself? I’m afraid: not the Government.”

Sir Paul, president of the Royal Society, also strongly criticised how the Border Agency handled revoking London Metropolitan University’s visa licence in August, saying it was silly and a crass effort.

Earlier this month, Mr Willetts questioned the long-term viability of Scotland maintain free university tuition, saying to get world-class universities the money had to get to them somehow.

Durham University’s Palatine Centre brings together all its “student facing” services, including its careers service, international office and IT and finance departments, for the first time. It replaces Old Shire Hall, the university’s HQ for 50 years, which is now up for sale.

The development also includes an £11m library extension and a new law school.

Sir Paul said it was a fine, striking building which the university could be very proud of.