Mike Russell sets out higher education review

Published on Wednesday 1 February 2012 12:58

EDUCATION secretary Mike Russell will today set out a wide-ranging review of how Scotland’s universities and colleges are run.

The measures are expected to include plans to elect the chairs of university courts and abolish bonuses for well-paid principals.

However, it is expected the review of university governance, which was carried out by Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal of Robert Gordon University, will stop short of recommending that principals themselves are elected.

The body representing Scotland’s colleges has previously warned they face losing £50 million a year and their charitable status if ministers interfere in decision making.

In its submission to the review of college governance, umbrella group Scotland’s Colleges said the re-introduction of “ministerial direction” was unnecessary.

Mr Russell will outline the full implications of the university and college shake-up in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

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Danielrober2

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:33 PM

# 18 Wardog ............................ No I am not shy and I never have been. I just believe people should chose their own route in life and be given the opportunity for self improvement if they wish. As opposed to those disappointed in life and now seek to make up their missing section of soul by dominating others. Filling University departments with the chosen few, to select the best of the selected adds little to total economic achievement as others around the world embrace the merit based system.

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22

True Scot

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:25 PM

no doubt his plans will involve increased political control

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21

allymax

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:12 PM

The article says, " The body representing Scotland’s colleges [Scotland’s Colleges], has previously warned they face losing £50 million a year and their charitable status if ministers interfere in decision making. "...................................This 'charitable status' is the bigge4st problem with the Uni's and Colleges; whoever is making the 'donations' are the ones defining the syllabus'. Doesn't take much figuring out to know that Westminster are on their Marxist bente syllabus programme, funding radical feminist course like there's a no tomorrow. Scotland must get away from this ridiculous scenario. If Scotland wants to renew the way its Uni's and Colleges are run, syllabus and all, then get rid of this 'charitable status, and give the principles recurring 3 year contracts like the cops will get. Simples, but I'm only allymax !

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20

Vote 'NO'

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:08 PM

5. Just a coincidence, just a coincidence. If you believe such guff.

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19

mordor

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:35 PM

#16 I concur but do you have a suggestion for selection of academics that would resolve this issue?

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18

The Harder They Come

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 08:32 PM

16. Are you shy and quiet Daniel?

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17

Tartancult

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:36 PM

This is a country which is apparently consumed by the addition of two pandas to a zoo. Even if an education was made possible for these people how could they possibly take advantage of it?

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16

Danielrober2

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:33 PM

So more positions in University will be decided by internal politics, rather than merit and success. I do not believe this to be a good long term trend. Just because a person is maybe shy and quite, should not hold them back from attending senior positions due to their skills. The quite people should not be ignored.

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15

whitstomatowiu

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:21 PM

12 It's Time,---------------- "Why the English government should pay"?????????????-----------When did this happen has England declared UDI

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14

mordor

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:08 PM

#12 EU rules mean that students from England would not be charged to study in Scotland if the Treaty of Union was revoked. The only reason that they can be charged is because the Treaty allows for it......read the bit about the independence of the Scots education system in the 1707 act. There would of course be nothing wrong with the Scottish Government providing an education grant to Scottish student which they would then personally use to pay tuition fee: this would get around the EU problem. Indeed whether it is legal for the government in England to provide tuition fee loans but only if the education is purchased within the UK may be legally challengable under the rules of the single market. If I were an English student I would be looking to challenge this as I could buy education of a similar quality in another EU country for a lower price than in England (go to Holland and save yourself £7,000 per annum).

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13

I AM THE OPERATOR OF A POCKET CALCULATOR

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 05:02 PM

Ali2011- you spoke to soon, Lachies raised yer bet and is going for knuckle dragging loony. What a T1T, imagine describing the majority of Scottish voters as that. How to win friends and influence people Labour style.......

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12

ItsTime

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:41 PM

#10 No you are wrong, their tuition fees are provided by the government by means of a loan. It is not clear to me why the English government would provide such a loan if you chose to study a foreign university. The rest of what you say is arguable - the poorest get their fees paid, in general people are annoyed that middle class kinds dont get their fees paid anymore.

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11

The Harder They Come

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:39 PM

2. Don't be so hard on yourself, you don't wear tweed.

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10

mordor

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:34 PM

#1 I believe that English students themselves pay their tuition fees by taking out a repayable loan. I do not agree with education being bought and sold in such a manner as it discourages the talented who are from less well-off backgrounds from entering further education hence leaving the door open for those who are less talented but from well-off backgrounds to enter.__________________________________________________________________ There is a need for a shake up as I am afraid that too many of the 'humanities' schools within Universities are little more than political lobbying groups who publish nothing that is of any use to the outside world and this is hidden behind the fact that other schools have to work doubly hard to publish useful material to keep the institutions ranking up.______________________________________________________________________When there are engineering companies screaming at their local college to run courses for apprentice engineers and the response from the college is "Nah, our staff want to do psychology courses" I am afraid that there is a need for direction. I would suggest that what the boards of 'some colleges mean is "we got cushy numberes for our loyalty to the Labour Party and itsno fair because taxpayers pay taxes so that we can have cushy numbers". Not good enough I am afraid.

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9

Esox Hunter

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:08 PM

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