Responding to the announcement of additional funding from the Scottish Government to support colleges and universities during the pandemic, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said:
“The Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £60 million one-off COVID consequential funding for universities and colleges is very welcome. The sector has faced a series of acute financial challenges because of the pandemic and this in-year funding will make a real difference in addressing some of those pressures.
“Securing additional COVID consequentials to fund research and innovation is very welcome recognition from the Scottish Government of the vital role that university research has already played throughout this pandemic and the role it will have in navigating Scotland through a successful economic recovery. We also welcome the announcement’s recognition of the importance of what universities do to help students to succeed. We welcome the flexibility the Scottish Government intends for allocation of this total package of funding and we look forward to discussing this with the Funding Council as a priority.”