J. R. Shackleton (THES, June 21) states that "restaurants are awarded Michelin stars". Michelin awards the stars following a series of unannounced visits to the restaurants. The inspectors only reveal their identity once the visits have been completed and their bills settled. Furthermore, Michelin awards the stars according to its own set of criteria and defined standards, which are not agreed beforehand with the restaurant owners.
If such an outside organisation were to be available in this country for signalling quality in higher education, I sincerely hope that the number of three-star universities would exceed the number of three-star restaurants in the Michelin.
E. de la Croix European Business School, London