Commenting on the Towards a Robust, Resilient Wellbeing Economy for Scotland report by the Scottish Government’s independent Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “We welcome the report’s belief that this will be an education-led recovery and its view that universities have a systemically important role. This is a responsibility that…
Tag: COVID-19
Social media materials produced for colleges and universities to support victims of Gender Based Violence during lockdown
New social media materials have been produced to help universities and colleges across Scotland support staff and students who might be experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse while social distancing measures are in place due to COVID-19. Social distancing and self-isolation measures can be particularly challenging for those experiencing GBV. The website and social media materials…
UK Government plans to introduce student number controls on Scotland’s universities are unacceptable
Universities Scotland has responded to UK Government proposals expected to be announced on Monday 1 June which would see controls placed on the number of students Scotland’s universities can admit from England. The UK Government intends to amend the student fee loan legislation from next week in order to limit the number of England-domiciled students that could take up a university place in Scotland. Student number controls have…
Universities Scotland submission to the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
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…
Universities Scotland briefing on the UK Government’s introduction of Temporary Student Number Controls
Universities Scotland has produced a briefing on a sudden and disruptive policy change that has the potential to negatively impact on the recruitment of English undergraduate students for the 2020 and 2021 intake. This will be introduced by the Department for Education on 1 June without any consultation with institutions in Scotland. The potential impact…
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.
Scotland’s universities will need bespoke support from UK and Scottish Governments to get through COVID-19 crisis
Universities Scotland has today [Monday 4 May] responded to the UK Government’s announcement of a package of support measures for students and universities designed to respond to the unprecedented circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst further clarity is needed on some of the details of the package from a devolved perspective, today’s announcement is…
Research is a key part of the fight against COVID-19
The Scottish Government has announced a set of 50 rapid studies, led by 15 of Scotland’s universities, to research ways to tackle the virus, manage the response and limit the impact it will have the impact on people’s lives. The 50 separate studies include work to: better understand the effects of infection develop and test…
SQA examination announcement; Universities Scotland comments
Following the announcement from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) about their plans to provide detail about their alternative certification model for 2020, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “Universities want to take the opportunity to reassure pupils studying for Highers and Advanced Highers that this may not be a normal year but we will…