Universities responded to today’s announcement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, which, most significantly, included proposals which will permit universities to change the fees paid by students from the rest of the UK who choose to study at university in Scotland. The plans, laid out by Mr Russell, enable Scotland’s universities to determine the fee-levels…
News
June
17
2011
Universities Scotland responds to announcement on university governance in today’s Scottish Parliament education debate
Responding to the Education Secretary’s announcement to set up a five-person panel to look at university governance, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “We welcome this review and the opportunity it presents to work with staff and students on the important issue of university governance. Universities Scotland has already been talking very constructively…
June
15
2011
Universities look to put the public at centre of research
Principals and staff from Scotland’s universities will meet with MSPs from all parties in the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday, 15 June) to focus on the wider value of university research and the importance of involving members of the public with this work. Putting issues of funding to one side, a group of Principals and staff…
April
04
2011
Universities Scotland responds to HESA’s publication of Performance Indicators on access to university and non-continuation
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has published its set of performance indicators that track UK universities’ performance on widening access to non-traditional students as well as the non-continuation rates of students at undergraduate level. Responding to the results, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: On non-continuation rates: “Retention rates at university are…
March
22
2011
Universities Scotland responds to Home Secretary’s statement on student visas
Responding to the UK Government’s (22 March) announcement on changes to the student visa system, Universities Scotland welcomed the fact that the worst of the proposals had been dropped and the impact on international students numbers coming to study at university will not be as badly affected as first feared. However, the closure of the…
March
21
2011
Welcome to Robert Gordon University’s new principal
Universities Scotland today (Monday 21 March) welcomes Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski to his new role as Principal of Robert Gordon University. Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim said: “I look forward to working with Professor von Prondzynski over the coming weeks and months as Universities Scotland continues to pursue key priorities for the sector. I…
March
18
2011
Universities Scotland urges Funding Council to reconsider £3 million of cuts to ‘globally recognised’ research pooling programme
Responding to today’s (Friday) publication of the Scottish Funding Council’s Main Grant Letter for universities, Universities Scotland urged the Funding Council to think again, warning that the proposed £3 million cut to research pools will damage this highly successful collaborative research initiative. Research pooling has been a huge success for Scotland’s universities. Working collaboratively to…
Universities Scotland welcomes reassurance on universities’ competitiveness but cautions against ‘optimistic’ use of figures
Responding to Mr Russell’s statement on the Green Paper, delivered to Parliament today, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “We welcome Mr Russell’s firm commitment to fill any funding gap to ensure that Scotland’s universities maintain their competitiveness. We also welcome the urgency given to this issue; this will need to be a…
March
07
2011
Universities Scotland publishes report on Scotland’s creative industries
The report, Scotland’s Creative Economy: the Role of Universities by Universities Scotland is launched today (7 March) at a round-table discussion event chaired by Seona Reid, Director of Glasgow School of Art at the University of Stirling. The event brings together representatives from Scotland’s universities, creative industries and business, Creative Scotland and a range of…
March
04
2011
Universities Scotland responds to party announcements on future funding of universities
Following Friday’s (4 March) announcement by the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Tavish Scott, and the announcement by the Scottish Labour Party leader, Iain Gray, Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim said: “Political parties need to enter the election period with a solid and urgent commitment to maintaining internationally competitive Scottish universities, wide access…