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The resignation of John Randall as chief executive of the QAA points up the folly of abolishing the Council for National Academic Awards when the polytechnics were made universities.

The CNAA was not perfect, but it was on the right lines. The system was one of independent, externally monitored peer review, operating through respected subject boards, permanent but with rolling membership, and based on explicit criteria and open dialogue.

Anyone serious about quality assurance should look again at the successes of the CNAA. It is not yet too late.

John Radford
Chair, psychology board, CNAA, 1978-84.