Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Pete Downes has received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list published on Saturday 13 June. Professor Downes has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee since 2009 and is currently serving his second term as Convener of Universities Scotland. Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Professor…
News
May
21
2015
Alastair Sim: Higher education must remain central
The seventh of May was an extraordinary night. A Conservative majority in Westminster and a landslide victory of 56 SNP MPs means the next five years promises to be anything but dull. Universities Scotland congratulates every Scottish MP, new and returned, and the SNP on achieving such a remarkable result. As higher education is almost…
April
29
2015
Commission on Widening Access – membership and first meeting
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of the full membership of the Scottish Government’s Widening Access Commission ahead of its first meeting today (Wednesday 29 April). The Principals of two Scottish higher education institutions – Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow, and Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh –…
April
20
2015
Scotland’s HE sector to pay staff the living wage
The Principals of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions have confirmed that they intend to pay the living wage to staff. Each Principal confirmed their intention to pay the living wage at their institution during Universities Scotland’s Committee of Principals on Wednesday, 15 April 2015. Every member of staff covered by collective pay agreements at Scotland’s…
April
12
2015
Pete Downes: There are big risks in tying universities up in red tape
In the rush to get things done, sometimes the best approach is to pause, take a step back and revisit what it is you are hoping to achieve. The responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation on higher education governance legislation are a clear indication that the Scottish Government should do exactly that. They make for…
April
09
2015
University principals ask the Scottish Government to stop and think about potentially damaging governance proposals in light of strong concern from civic Scotland
Business leaders, student associations and other independent commentators have added weight to the serious concern already expressed by university leaders at Scottish Government proposals to legislate on higher education governance. The Scottish Government has published an analysis of the written responses to its consultation on higher education governance today (Thursday 9 April). Over 125 submissions…
April
09
2015
University Chairs commit to a minimum of 40 per cent of both genders on boards
The Chairs of Scotland’s 18 higher education institutions[1] have today [Thursday, 9 April] announced a commitment to achieve gender equality within the membership of their governing bodies, the highest level of governance within a university. The commitment to achieve a minimum of 40 per cent of both men and women on the governing body [2],…
March
25
2015
Advances on access to university for students of all backgrounds shows that taking a wide approach to widening access pays off
Figures released today by the Scottish Funding Council [Wednesday 25 March] in its ninth Learning for All report show increases in the number of students starting university from across a wide range of under-represented groups including: students living in Scotland’s most deprived 20 and 40 per cent of neighbourhoods – up 10.1 per cent and…
March
25
2015
Alastair Sim: Life as an academic
Scotland’s higher education sector already has it right on democratic approach to management/union relations, writes Alastair Sim. I was surprised to read the results of a YouGov poll last month that found more people across Britain wanted to be a university academic than a TV presenter, interior designer or Hollywood star. The role of academic was…
March
17
2015
Scotland’s universities welcome appointment of Chair to Widening Access Commission
Scotland’s universities welcome appointment of Chair to Widening Access Commission Universities Scotland has today, Tuesday 17 March, warmly welcomed the announcement of Dame Ruth Silver’s appointment to Chair the Scottish Government’s Commission on Widening Access. Scotland’s universities are committed to widening access to university for every single child with the desire and ability, no matter…