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Ensuring good governance in higher education remains fit for purpose

Universities Scotland has welcomed the updated Scottish Code of Good HE Governance following a scheduled review undertaken on behalf of the Committee of Scottish Chairs in consultation with stakeholders. The review fulfils the commitment of the Committee of Scottish Chairs to achieve continual enhancement of good governance, together with transparency, inclusion and accountability. This is…

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Students’ hopes, uncertainties and university support revealed to Minister on visit to Queen Margaret University

Students attending universities from across Edinburgh met the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Graeme Dey MSP, to share the range of challenges and opportunities they face as undergraduates, in a visit to Queen Margaret University Edinburgh on Thursday 20 April. Universities across Scotland offer active support to their students in…

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Response to Scottish Funding Council indicative allocations

This afternoon (Thursday 13 April), the Scottish Funding Council published their Indicative university funding allocations AY 2023-24. This follows the passing of the Scottish Government Budget for 2023-24. Today’s indicative allocations set out the funding available to specific university grants for teaching, research and innovation and clarify the specific funding available to individual institutions for…

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New innovation record set for universities’ work with business

New official statistics have been published that demonstrate the importance of innovation links between the business and higher education as Scotland’s universities continue to play their part in the economic recovery from the pandemic. The HE business and community interaction survey (HE-BCI) published by The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that Scottish universities in…

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Twinning funds sees Ukrainian-Scottish research links strengthened

Six Scottish universities have been awarded funds made available through Universities UK International’s (UUKi) twinning initiative to support joint research with universities in Ukraine. The funding will support deeper collaborations between academia in both nations, through a series of twinning partnerships which was first created in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion in 2022. UK International…

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International Commissioner appointment for Andrea Nolan

The International Higher Education Commission has announced eight new Commissioners on Friday 24 February which include Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University. Andrea is the Convener of our International Committee where she is committed to undertaking activities and promotional campaigns to position and promote Scottish higher education internationally. Among the new…

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Universities role in economic transformation celebrated in Scottish Parliament

The contribution of universities to the economic transformation of Scotland was celebrated by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on 31 January 2023 as we held our annual Parliamentary reception. MSPs, universities, stakeholders and friends of the higher educatiton sector gathered to hear about the sector’s strong culture of delivery which aligns closely with the Scottish Government’s…

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Universities Scotland welcome appointment of new Commissioner for Fair Access

Responding to today’s Scottish Government announcement of Professor John McKendrick as the new Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland, David Lott, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland said: “We welcome the appointment of John McKendrick as Commissioner for Fair Access.  We look forward to Professor McKendrick building on the university sector’s achievements in…

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Our response to the Scottish Government budget

Responding to today’s Scottish Government budget for 2023-24, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “The tough financial climate facing Scottish Government is clear for all to see. In that context, we welcome the fact that it has been possible to make a modest 1% cash increase in university funding, worth an extra £12.7 million….

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Universities Scotland welcome additional research funding

Universities Scotland has welcomed news of an additional £24.6m of research funding to Scotland’s universities. It follows calls from Universities Scotland to ensure the package of support to universities announced by Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on 21 November would reach Scotland’s universities. Elements of the earlier UK Government announcement were intended to…

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