Commenting on speculation that the UK Government may look to cut international student numbers, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Any attempts to cut international student numbers at Scottish universities would be damaging to universities and the Scottish economy. Every year more than 65,000 students from more than 180 countries study in Scotland. This…
Tag: Politics
Government must ensure universities receive research funding
Universities Scotland have welcomed a UK Government announcement for additional funding to support the international collaborations and competitiveness of UK research, as a result of delays to the UK’s association to the Horizon Europe programme. This funding can directly support research and wider economic growth in Scotland if the extra funding is ring-fenced for research…
Scotland’s universities and the constitution: policy issues for consideration
The constitution has been a prominent feature of policy discussion in Scotland for some time and continues to be so. Whatever Scotland’s future, universities will be fundamental to Scotland’s people and economy. Universities will continue to educate a significant proportion of the population, equipping them with the skills they will need for their careers and…
Sir Ian Wood: Major risk to the Scottish economy if funding for our university students continues to be reduced
We are delighted to have Sir Ian Wood, businessman, philanthropist and Chairman of JW Holdings Limited write for Universities Scotland about the importance of universities to the Scottish economy. This is a longer-version of a column Sir Ian wrote for The Times. As it is, our universities funding has followed real term decline since 2014/25 leaving…
Colleges and Universities CPG: students and the cost of living crisis
On 28 September, the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Colleges and Universities met to discuss the cost of living crisis and its impact on students. MSPs and members of the CPG came together to discuss this very pressing issue and how we can help students through this crisis. The CPG had three speakers, Ellie…
Professor George Boyne at the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People committee
On Wednesday 28 September, Professor George Boyne Principal of the University of Aberdeen appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People committee to represent Universities Scotland. Professor Boyne highlighted the benefits of additional investment in Scottish universities. Questions focused on the over-reliance on international student fees to fund core business, the sector’s research…
Time to choose
Universities are one of Scotland’s greatest assets. They are anchor institutions for economic growth and transformation. They produce and promote both entrepreneurship and creativity. They have a proven record in widening access and winning recognition for pedagogical quality and the student experience. However, without sustained, prioritised and strategic investment, much of this is seriously at risk.
Universities Scotland’s submission to the Education, Children and Young People Committee
Universities Scotland have submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee ahead of University of Aberdeen’s Principal Professor George Boyne’s appearance to the committee on Wednesday 28 September 2022. Our submission details the support of the Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny of university funding and takes the opportunity to provide both written and…
Universities Scotland’s response to the Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy consultation
Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government’s Innovation Strategy consultation. This consultation will allow for a successful innovation strategy by building upon the National Strategy for Economic Transformation. In our submission, we highlighted the importance of the research done by universities and how this leads to innovation. We have also conveyed how graduates are…
Universities Scotland responds to SFC’s Coherence and Sustainability Review
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of Coherence and Sustainability: A review of Tertiary Education and Research by the sector’s funding body, the Scottish Funding Council. The report makes a number of recommendations for the Scottish Government to consider. The report was commissioned by the Scottish Government in June 2020 with Universities Scotland responding to…