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…
News
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…
September
30
2020
Scotland’s universities launch Consistent Core of Care for students during the pandemic
Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions have today [Wednesday 30 September] confirmed a package of ten measures they are using to support student wellbeing, as students adjust to a different learning and wider student experience in the first semester of the academic year, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This will ensure that…
September
27
2020
Principals respond to additional Scottish Government guidance on student households
The Scottish Government has today (Sunday 27 September) issued further guidance relating to the application of the restrictions on household visits, as it applies to students living in university accommodation. The guidance on visits home follows the new restriction, announced by the First Minister last week, that the general public should refrain from indoor visits…
September
27
2020
We asked more of students than is asked of anyone else; a group we know is caring, responsible and socially minded
Our Director, Alastair Sim, explains the context to our announcements relating to student socialisation and the management of COVID-19 over recent days: “This weekend, we asked all students not to go out to pubs, restaurants and cafes. It was a request, not a ban. It was never a ban. But we know it was a…
September
24
2020
Preventing spread of coronavirus in universities
Following the outbreak of positive cases of coronavirus in student accommodation in parts of Scotland, university Principals met with the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead, to discuss what further measures and messages could be emphasised to stop the spread of the virus. A set of FAQs has been developed to…
September
24
2020
Universities Scotland comments on availability of COVID-19 tests for students
In response to the availability of COVID-19 tests for students, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “The testing programme is working well and we strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of the virus to seek a test. Universities can advise their students on routes to do that if they are unsure. We also ask everyone in…
September
23
2020
Keeping our higher education community safe
Responding to the rising positive cases of COVID-19 in higher education, Professor Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “There have been a number of positive cases of coronavirus linked to universities. We understand that this is concerning for the students, their loved ones and our wider communities so it is important to be clear,…
September
14
2020
COVID-19 SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY, SAY UNIVERSITY PRINCIPALS
The Principals of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions have all put their names to a joint statement to students, confirming that public health is their top priority as university leaders. The statement looks to reassure students and the wider public of the seriousness with which universities take their responsibility to take every possible precaution to…