Universities Scotland responded to a call for evidence from the Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, the body providing expert advice on Scotland’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The Group will bring forward solutions to enable a swift economic recovery and one that also ensures the Scottish economy emerges from the pandemic stronger and more…
Tag: Ambition
Colleges and universities preparing for phased return
Scotland’s colleges and universities are gearing up for a phased campus return for the next academic year as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted. When institutions suspended face-to-face teaching in March to protect staff and students, they were able to quickly switch to online teaching and assessment, providing students with equipment to access online learning….
Education and Skills Committee inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education
• Universities Scotland is clear that universities will need decisive and strategic action from both the Scottish and UK Government to get them through this crisis. The scale of the financial challenge is greater than the Scottish Government can meet from its existing budget. This is not a political point and this is not a time for politicking. Universities want to work in lock step with both Governments and believe this matches their objective during this time.
Universities Scotland response to Scottish Government announcement of £75m for university research
The Scottish Government has today [Wednesday 6 May 2020] announced a one-off £75 million increase in funding for Scottish higher education to help mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on university research. Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s recognition of the role research and innovation will play in…
COVID-19 will not derail universities’ progress on widening access
New data on widening access to university, published by the Scottish Funding Council today, confirms that universities are on track to reach a significant milestone of progress by 2021 and provides a timely opportunity for universities to signal that COVID-19 will not be allowed to derail progress on widening access. The data show that 15.9%…
Universities Scotland comments on new points-based immigration system
Following the publication of a proposed new points-based immigration system by the Home Office, the Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “Since the EU referendum, universities in Scotland have been clear that we need an immigration system that recognises the importance of higher education and the value that our sector places on being able…
Universities Scotland response to Scottish Government consulation on Replacement of European Structural Funds
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for views from the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to European Structural Funds. The consultation is looking at how any replacement funding vehicle could best meet the needs of citizens, businesses and communities in Scotland. Our response calls for the new fund to be focused on locality,…
Universities Scotland react to Scottish Government Budget
Following yesterday’s Scottish Government Budget published in the Scottish Parliament, which saw a 0% change in real terms to universities budgets, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “This budget gives university funding real terms protection at 0%. The reality is that universities have no more money, in real terms, to spend on students…
Staff, students and university leaders join together ahead of Scottish Budget
Universities Scotland, UCU Scotland and NUS Scotland have today (30 January 2020) written an open letter to the Deputy First Minister ahead of the Scottish Budget on 6 February to highlight the considerable challenge facing university funding as evidenced by three separate and independent reports to emerge over the last year. Over the last twelve…
Universities Scotland respond to Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper
Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s paper Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper, the Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “The attraction of talent to Scotland is central to our nation’s success, and the success of our universities. “We welcome this thoughtful contribution from the Scottish Government on how migration can and does contribute to Scotland’s…