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.
Tag: Politics
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…
Universities Scotland welcome ‘Universities and Scotland’ report from Scottish Affairs Committee
The report, which comes at a time which is described by the committee as a “perfect storm” for universities as long-term public underfunding of the sector meet the impact of both COVID-19 and Brexit. Reacting to the publication of the Scottish Affairs Committee report, ‘Universities and Scotland’, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “This report…
Universities Scotland manifesto ‘asks’ for 2021 Scottish Parliament election
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on 6 May 2021, Universities Scotland has prepared a briefing outlining the higher education policies we’re seeking support for in political parties’ manifestos and from the next Scottish Government. Our five key asks are: Increase the amount invested in teaching and wider student support for each Scottish domiciled undergraduate…
Universities Scotland submission to Finance and Constitution Committee inquiry into UK Internal Market Bill
Universities Scotland has responded to a consultation by the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee on the UK Internal Market Bill. The Committee is scrutinising the Bill to determine its impact on the Devolution Settlement and how the Internal Market will operate in practice. Given the remit of our organisation, we limit our response to…
Update on the impact of COVID-19 on universities for the Education and Skills Committee
Ahead of the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP, giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on Wednesday 2 September 2020, Universities Scotland provided evidence to update the Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on the university sector. The evidence covers: the implications of the SQA examination…
Universities Scotland comment on Ministerial Statement: SQA Exam Results 2020
Commenting on today’s Ministerial Statement from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Universities Scotland Convener Gerry McCormac said: “Universities will do everything possible to ensure that all those who can benefit from higher education have the opportunity to attend university. They will look at the circumstances of each applicant who…
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…