ADAM Trimingham is right to highlight the hugely positive role our two universities play in Brighton (The Argus, August 20).

Our economic contribution is enormous, most obviously through the money students bring (not least the fees paid by international students) but that is only a small part of the picture.

For our students also play an enormously positive role in supporting local schools, charities and campaigns when they are here (and, as Adam points out, when they stay on after graduating).

Students are sometimes treated quite unfairly in discussions of local problems, especially as all young people in the area are often described as ‘students’ regardless of their actual situation.

And so it is great that an Argus columnist is willing to highlight the contribution to which the students are central made by our universities.

Allan Spencer

Director of Finance

University of Sussex