Responding to today’s (Wednesday 26 September) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Every Scottish university is committed to excellence. We want to do the very best for our students, our economy and our nation. Despite our commitment to excellence, we’ve seen an overall fall in rankings for…
News
September
20
2018
Universities Scotland comments on latest UCAS figures
Commenting on the figures released today, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of Edinburgh Napier University said: “This is the data we all want to see. There’s more to do but there is a lot to feel encouraged by in today’s figures. The number of students from the poorest 20 per cent…
September
18
2018
Universities Scotland comments on MAC EEA report
Commenting on the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee final report on EEA migration, Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: Our starting position with the Migration Advisory Committee was that staff from the EEA are a vital part of the success of Scotland’s universities. That remains unchanged. Today’s MAC report reaffirms that EU migrants…
September
11
2018
Universities Scotland comments on the Migration Advisory Committee report
Responding to today’s Migration Advisory Committee report on international students, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: Today’s report explicitly says that ‘international students offer positive economic benefit.’ If the government’s industrial strategy is to be a success it needs a vibrant higher education sector and it is impossible to imagine that without significant and…
September
04
2018
Scots support more flexible immigration rules for international students
New polling data on Scots’ attitudes on immigration shows strong support for easing restrictions placed on students from overseas (outside of the EU). Public support comes as our sister organisation, Universities UK, launches a new policy proposal for a post-study work visa for international students. The proposed arrangements would allow international students to work in…
August
07
2018
Universities Scotland comments on SQA results day
Responding to today’s SQA results and UCAS university placings, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Hearty congratulations are in order to Scots the length and breadth of the country on their Highers results and for the next stage in their life, whatever that may entail. “We have seen a 5% increase in placed applicants…
July
12
2018
Universities Scotland comment on latest UCAS 30 June applications release
Commenting on the latest release from UCAS 2018 cycle applicant figures – June deadline, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Universities are places of lifelong learning, and it’s encouraging to see an increase in applicants aged 20 and over. The 20 plus age group is also key to widening access, as we see increased applicant…
June
25
2018
Universities Scotland react to research and innovation funding announcement
Reaction to the news that the Scottish Government through the Scottish Funding Council are awarding Scottish universities £11.6m to help us compete for research projects alongside industry partners, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: This £11.6m announcement from the Scottish Government is most welcome. The money will used to support world-leading research as well as supporting…
June
25
2018
Reflections on researchers mental health
Following a recent Researcher Training Sub-Committee Policy Forum, Dr Sara Shinton, Head of Researcher Development / IAD Assistant Director and Ruth Meyer, Senior Policy Officer at Universities Scotland reflect on the event. Scotland’s higher education institutions change lives through world-leading research. The researchers who do this, from PhD students to professors are highly driven and gain…
June
18
2018
Glasgow School of Art devastated by fire
On the evening of Friday 15 June 2018, a major fire broke out at the Glasgow School of Art’s historic Mackintosh (‘The Mack’) building. Scottish Fire and Rescue Services spent the weekend extinguishing the blaze and fortunately, there were no casualties. The building has been undergoing an extensive restoration following the 2014 fire and has not been…