‘Overarching’ missions ‘boost research efficiency’

This makes gross assumptions. The role of the university is not to give society what it wants but what it needs. Universities are unusual in doing their planning over a much longer timescale than other organisations - look up the concept of "Buxton index". Having grand missions is one thing - deciding what they should be is not addressed in the article. Govts tend to be obsessed with ideas that can be translated into products Uni admins tend to focus on perceived excellence as measured by whatever way out puts can be measured Examples that might not [have] fit[ted] well in this model 1. The Cochlear implant developed by Graeme Clark 2. Work on RNA-based vaccines 3. number theory. A branch of pure maths. Today it underpins internet security.