Outspoken principal to head Scottish universities group

UNIVERSITY principal Bernard King has been appointed convener of the umbrella group Universities Scotland.

The outspoken Professor King, who is vice-chancellor of Abertay University in Dundee, will be regarded as a controversial appointment, given his very public claims of funding bias in favour of Scotland's older universities.

He has also been openly critical of the Scottish Funding Council's proposed changes to the way in which university subjects are funded.

Prof King will take over the role from the current holder, Anton Muscatelli, the principal of Glasgow University, in August after serving as vice-convener for four years.

He will hold the high-profile post for a fixed term of two years until July 2012, which will involve him representing universities, for example, in talks with the Scottish Government.

Professor Anthony Cohen, the former principal of Queen Margaret University, described it as an outstanding appointment.

He said: "It is time the university sector was led by somebody who tells it as it is. What he says is considered; he says nothing off-the-cuff.

"The interesting thing is that this appointment is made by election (by other principals]," said Prof Cohen. "So he obviously has the support from across the university sector."