Scotland’s student and university leaders have joined together to commend the Welsh Government on its twin-track approach to supporting higher education students and institutions through the COVID crisis. This comes on the day that the Welsh Government announces a new package of £40 million available to support students facing financial hardship. The Welsh Government has…
News
January
08
2021
Universities Scotland responds to postponed return of students
Responding to the announcement from the Scottish Government on the return of students to university, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “In light of the high prevalence of the virus across the country, it is appropriate that there should be an increased staggering of the return of students to campus. We look forward to receiving…
December
31
2020
Professor Gerry McCormac recognised with a knighthood
Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Gerry McCormac, has been recognised with a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours for his extraordinary public service. Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, who has been Principal at the University of Stirling since 2010, was given the honour in recognition of his services to higher education and to the economy. Professor…
December
08
2020
Response to Ministerial Statement on January return
Responding to the Ministerial Statement by John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister to the Scottish Parliament, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s announcement affirms the importance of students having access to in-person learning and support next term. We believe this is important for students’ learning, welfare and retention. “The requirement for a staggered…
November
28
2020
Inconclusive Spending Review makes January budget critical for Scottish HE
The UK Government Spending Review announced on Wednesday (25 November 2020) has made January’s Scottish Government budget a critical event for Scottish higher education. The Scottish block grant will increase by an additional £2.4bn in 2021/22 as a result of core and COVID-19 expenditure. Within UK Government spending priorities, an extra £400 million expenditure per…
November
24
2020
New guidance published to help universities tackle racial harassment on campus
Our sister organisation Universities UK (UUK) has today [24 November 2020] published a series of recommendations aimed at supporting universities to tackle racial harassment in higher education. Tackling Racial Harassment in Higher Education is the product of an advisory group convened by UUK in October last year and responds to many of the recommendations in…
November
13
2020
Universities Scotland response to UUK’s Fair Admissions Review
Responding to Universities UK’s Fair Admissions Review recommendations, which aim to make university admissions fairer and more transparent, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “Moves to make the university admissions process fairer, more consistent and transparent at UK level are most welcome. The next stage of consultation is crucially important: the devolved nations must be…
November
11
2020
Universities Scotland respond to Ministerial Statement on Supporting Students to Return Home Safely at the End of Term
Responding to the Ministerial Statement on Supporting Students to Return Home Safely at the End of Term from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP and after coordination between the four governments of the United Kingdom, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Student welfare has guided our decision making…
October
27
2020
Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s new Inward Investment Plan
Responding to the publication of Shaping Scotland’s Economy, Alastair Sim, Universities Scotland Director, said: “We’re pleased to see the report recognise higher education’s important role in attracting inward investment into Scotland. Bar London, Scotland has been the top performing nation or region of the UK in attracting inward investment for each of the past seven years and…
October
23
2020
Universities Scotland response to Scotland’s Strategic Framework
Responding to the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Framework and five-tiered approach to managing COVID-19, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “Students, staff and universities need as much clarity as its possible to give in a global pandemic so we’ll take full opportunity of this very short period of consultation to work with Government to define…