Universities Scotland is extremely disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision to withdraw £20 million of resource funding allocated to the higher education sector for financial year (FY) 2023/24 and to reverse aspects of the budget decision as supported by the Scottish Parliament in the Budget Bill (now Act) as passed on 21 February 2023.
Tag: Trust
£20m cut “extremely disappointing”
This afternoon (Tuesday 2 May), Principals of Scotland’s universities were informed by the Scottish Funding Council that the £20 million of additional resource funding allocated to the sector in December’s budget by the Scottish Government is now “not available for distribution and has been identified as a necessary saving”. Universities were told that Scottish Government…
Ensuring good governance in higher education remains fit for purpose
Universities Scotland has welcomed the updated Scottish Code of Good HE Governance following a scheduled review undertaken on behalf of the Committee of Scottish Chairs in consultation with stakeholders. The review fulfils the commitment of the Committee of Scottish Chairs to achieve continual enhancement of good governance, together with transparency, inclusion and accountability. This is…
AI in higher education – friend or foe?
The topic of Artifical Intelligence has been of huge interest in the early months of 2023. Our latest blog sees Abertay University Principal, Professor Liz Bacon, discuss the role AI could have in higher education reflecting on her decades of work in this area. With the disruption navigated by our universities during Covid-19 thankfully beginning to…
Twinning funds sees Ukrainian-Scottish research links strengthened
Six Scottish universities have been awarded funds made available through Universities UK International’s (UUKi) twinning initiative to support joint research with universities in Ukraine. The funding will support deeper collaborations between academia in both nations, through a series of twinning partnerships which was first created in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion in 2022. UK International…
Response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on post-school education, research and skills: interim purpose and principles
We have welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s post-school education, research and skills: interim purpose and principles exercise. We have engaged with the Scottish Government during the consultation phase, which closed on 24 March 2023, culminating in our formal response to their draft.
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…
A student-centred approach to tackling contract cheating in higher education
Universities Scotland would like to see legislation to make the operation and advertisement of essay writing and other contract cheating services in Scotland illegal. These include essay mills and similar, as well as services aiming to sell university applications/personal statements, and even PhD theses.
Cost of Living (Protection of Tenants) (Scotland) Bill
In anticipation of the Cost of Living (Protection of Tenants) (Scotland) Bill being presented to the Scottish Parliament, we have published a briefing highlighting issues of interest to the higher education sector. Please note: this briefing was published prior to the Bill itself being published. You can read our submission here.
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.