Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Mr Keith Brown MSP gave evidence to Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee on 7 December on the Enterprise and Skills Review. Professor Andrea Nolan wrote to him following that session, in her capacity as US Convener, to set out our views on the design principles that…
Briefings & Evidence
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Response to Department for Education consultation on postgraduate doctoral loans
At Budget 2015, the UK Government announced its intention to review how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research and subsequently published a consultation on support for postgraduate study. This consultation took place in November and December 2016. Professor Sir Tim O’Shea responded on behalf of Universities Scotland in his capacity as the Convener…
Westminster debate on post-study work visas for international students (8 December)
On Thursday 8 December, Pete Wishart MP (SNP) is leading a debate on post-study work visas and immigration policy for international students following the UK Government’s response to the Scottish Affairs Committee report on the issue. Universities Scotland shared a concise brief with Scotland’s MPs ahead of the debate. Download that here. You can find…
Universities and disability: 2017-18 draft budget scrutiny
Universities Scotland have submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee as part of their pre-budget 2017/18 scrutiny. The Committee was keen to hear about the experiences of disabled and British Sign Language users in Scotland about their experience of applying to university. Universities Scotland felt it would be useful for the…
Scottish Government Debate: How Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme is Driving Innovation in Scotland
The Scottish Government held a debate in the Scottish Parliament on How Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme is Driving Innovation in Scotland on 17 November 2016. Universities Scotland are supportive of the working of Innovation Centres and the work they do. Our briefing contains key messages, testimony from business, our views on the Reid Review and…
Supplementary evidence to the Education and Skills Committee pre-budget scrutiny of the Scottish Funding Council
Universities Scotland submitted evidence to the Education and Skills Committee’s pre-budget inquiry of the Scottish Funding Council. You can read that submission here. Given the changing context surrounding the Enterprise and Skills Review and in light of media reports, Universities Scotland thought it appropriate to offer supplementary evidence to the Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny to inform the…
Members’ Business on Supporting Women-led Business in Global Entrepreneurship Week
As part of a Members’ Debate on Supporting Women-led Business in Global Entrepreneurship Week, Universities Scotland submitted a briefing detailing what Scottish Higher Education Institutes are doing to help support women-led business. The briefing contains information on research undertaken by Scottish researchers, how Making It Happen is making it happen and how Interface is assisting…
Education Select Committee inquiry: The impact of exiting the European Union on higher education
We have submitted evidence to the UK Parliament’s Education Select Committee inquiry on the impact of exiting the European Union on higher education. You can read or download our response to the inquiry here. Our response highlights many of the issues that have arisen due to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union following…
Education and Skills Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny on Scottish Funding Council
We have submitted written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny on the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). You can read or download our full response here. The paper makes clear that member institutions value the work of the SFC and its ‘buffer’ role between Scottish Government Ministers and institutions. The paper…
Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into Scotland’s Place in Europe
Universities Scotland has given evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into Scotland’s Place in Europe . Our submission emphasises the value that staff and students from the EU add to the quality of teaching, research and the student experience. We stress the urgent need for clarity on the immigration status for existing EU staff and…