Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, takes the long view and sets out our ambition for Scotland’s higher education sector in 2030: Graduation season is the perfect time to launch our Vision for Scottish higher education in 2030 because graduations represent a springboard into the future and a time full of optimism and energy. That’s…
Tag: Politics
Submission to Funding of EU Structural Fund Priorities in Scotland, post-Brexit
Universities Scotland have submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee’s inquiry into the Funding of EU Structural Fund Priorities in Scotland, post-Brexit. Structural funds from the European Union have been important for universities in Scotland. After Brexit, there will be a need to replace structural funds. The UK Government is due to…
Universities Scotland comment on the Scottish Government draft budget for 2019-20
Universities Scotland has responded to today’s draft budget announcement for 2019-20 from the Scottish Government. The settlement means a real terms cut for university funding, relative to 2018-19. Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “It’s very difficult to learn that funding for universities is going to drop in real terms by 1.79 per…
Higher and further education sectors’ joint statement on Brexit
Colleges, universities, trade unions and the Scottish Government have signed a joint letter which sets out how they will work together to protect higher and further education from the negative impact of Brexit. The statement – signed by Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland, the UCU, Unison, the EIS, NUS Scotland, The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish…
Universities Scotland submission of evidence to Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee inquiry on Article 50: Preparedness
Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee inquiry into Article 50: Preparedness. Our submission focuses on the issues that would arise as a result of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and the implications of such an outcome on our membership. Read our consultation response here.
Submission to All-Party Parliamentary University Group
Universities Scotland has submitted a briefing to the All-Party Parliamentary University Group to help inform their meeting on higher education in the devolved nations. All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups who meet informally to discuss issues of concern or importance. The University APPG will meet on 9 May to discuss UK-wide challenges for…
Response to Ministerial Statement on Widening Access
In response to the Ministerial Statement on Widening Access in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 6 March 2018, Alastair Sim, the Director of Universities Scotland said: Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, the length and breadth of Scotland, large and specialist, are committed to widening access. Today’s statement from the Minister reiterated a lot of the…
Our contribution to Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for evidence by the Scottish Affairs Committee. The inquiry, My Scottish Affairs, welcomed ideas and proposals from the public about what issues the Committee should look into over the course of the Parliament. Our submission identified three important themes: how to promote research and innovation through the UK Government and Scottish Government relationship; making…
Ministerial Statement on Widening Access
On Tuesday 31 May, the Scottish Parliament is due to hear a Ministerial Statement on Widening Access. As part of that statement, Universities Scotland has prepared a briefing for Members of the Scottish Parliament updating them on actions taken by higher education institutions since A Blueprint for Fairness was published last year. Read the briefing…
Education Select Committee inquiry: The impact of exiting the European Union on higher education
We have submitted evidence to the UK Parliament’s Education Select Committee inquiry on the impact of exiting the European Union on higher education. You can read or download our response to the inquiry here. Our response highlights many of the issues that have arisen due to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union following…