Certain provisions of the Higher Education and Research Bill at Westminister now require the consent of the Scottish Parliament following amendments. The Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee has sought views on the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) prepared by the Scottish Government. The Committee is due to discuss the LCM at its meeting on 26…
Briefings & Evidence
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Response to the Science and Technology Committee inquiry on the role and priorities of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) interim chair
The Science and Technology Committee hold an introductory evidence session with Sir John Kingman, the interim Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), on 12 October 2016. UKRI is the single strategic body proposed in the Higher Education and Research Bill, to bring together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. We are…
Brief for Public Audit Committee’s consideration of Audit Scotland report on HE
The Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee will hear evidence from the Auditor General on the Audit Scotland report on higher education in Scottish universities on Thursday 6 October 2016. Universities Scotland shared a briefing with the Committee ahead of this session. Read our brief here.
Briefing for Scottish Government debate on Brexit impact on HE & FE, 4 October 2016
Tuesday, 4 October will see a Scottish Government debate in Holyrood on the Implications of the EU Referendum on Higher and Further Education. Universities Scotland has prepared a short briefing for MSPs on the issues as they affect higher education institutions. It also sets out our priorities as Scotland and the UK considers its negotiating position….
Response to The Science and Technology Committee inquiry into Managing intellectual property and technology transfer
Universities work to commercialise research in order to produce beneficial economic impact and as a part of their broader missions to deliver benefit to society. This work, which includes licensing and spin-outs, is part of a much wider approach to economic impact delivered through higher education institutions (HEIs). Following a call for evidence from the…
EU Referendum result & its Impact on Scottish HE: Evidence to European and External Relations Committee Enquiry
We have submitted written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee’s enquiry into the EU Referendum and its Implications for Scotland. Download our full response here. Our evidence makes it clear that the EU referendum result has created great uncertainty in higher education. However, our members have strong working relationships with Europe, European…
HE & Research Bill at Committee stage
Universities’ Scotland’s primary concern with the HE and Research Bill is to ensure that the new UK-wide structured proposed for research and innovation are required to act in the interests of the whole UK; have regard to the relevant policies of the devolved administrations; and have governance structures that reflect the interests of the whole UK. We…
Written evidence to Education & Skills Committee session 7 September 2016
Our Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan, is giving evidence to the Education and Skills Committee of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 7 September as part of a session themed on further and higher education . We have submitted a short brief on the opportunities and challenges facing Scottish higher education in advance of this session. You…
Response to Apprenticeship Levy consultation by Scottish Government
We were pleased to submit views to the Scottish Government’s consultation on how it should use its share of the UK Apprencticeship Levy as transferred to Scotland from the UK Government. As employers, Scotland’s universities support the use of apprenticeships. We think the volume of apprenticeships available should be demand-led and we are keen to…
Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review
We have been pleased to respond to a call for evidence from Economy Secretary Keith Brown MSP, as part of the end-to-end review of enterprise and skills support in Scotland that he is leading. Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions are committed to delivering impact in Scotland and the wider world and want to work as…