Universities Scotland, UCU Scotland and NUS Scotland have today (30 January 2020) written an open letter to the Deputy First Minister ahead of the Scottish Budget on 6 February to highlight the considerable challenge facing university funding as evidenced by three separate and independent reports to emerge over the last year. Over the last twelve…
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University leaders and staff and student unions issue joint statement to EU nationals
Universities Scotland, UCU Scotland and NUS Scotland have today (29 January 2020) signed an open letter to EU staff and students in Scotland to assure them that universities will remain open and welcoming to people and ideas from all around the world as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The letter, signed by the…
Universities Scotland respond to Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper
Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s paper Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper, the Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “The attraction of talent to Scotland is central to our nation’s success, and the success of our universities. “We welcome this thoughtful contribution from the Scottish Government on how migration can and does contribute to Scotland’s…
Universities Scotland responds to Commissioner for Fair Access’s report on postgraduate access
Responding to the Commissioner for Fair Access’s latest discussion paper, Access to Postgraduate Study: Representation and Destinations, Universities Scotland welcomes a conversation about access to postgraduate level study and supports collaborative thinking on improving this. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Sir Peter said he wanted a serious conversation about…
Business and universities pledge a closer partnership to drive Scotland’s economic growth
Universities Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) have published a joint statement of shared ambition for how organisations in the private, public and third sectors and universities can work together in new and closer ways to drive Scotland’s sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Both SCDI and Universities Scotland call on the…
Scots back immigration policies that will help universities thrive, new poll shows
The overwhelming majority of Scottish people support immigration policies that will help universities to thrive according to new polling which Universities Scotland hope will influence the thinking of the next UK government. The next term of the UK Parliament will consider changes to the immigration system as suggested by the Migration Advisory Committee who are…
Universities Scotland response to Professor Muscatelli’s report, Driving Innovation in Scotland
Responding to Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli’s review of universities’ collaboration with business, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Professor Muscatelli’s report highlights some of the ways that universities contribute to Scotland’s economic growth and is focused on finding new ways to drive that role in economic growth even further. That’s an ambition shared by…
Universities Scotland comment on investment in additional counsellors for universities
Responding to today’s (1 November) announcement by the Scottish Government that it will invest in 80 new counsellors across colleges and universities, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland, David Lott said: “The investment in counsellors for universities is a welcome one. Student mental health is incredibly important and we are delighted to be working across the…
Universities Scotland response to EHRC report into racial harassment in higher education
Responding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in higher education, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “The findings are stark and challenging for universities and we must turn to face those findings and recommendations head on. “We are committed to tackle racial harassment within universities. We will follow…
Audit of university finances shows worrying picture of funding cuts and rising costs
Responding to a new audit of university finances, Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan, has said that the next budget from the Scottish Government will be vital to the sustainability of the higher education sector. Audit Scotland’s report, Finances of Scottish Universities, published today (Thursday 19 September 2019) shows the financial picture for the country’s…