Ian Diamond: We outperform the world, now let's keep it that way

We MUST ensure that we continue with the world-class levels of higher education that we already have across Scotland.

Scotland outperforms the world in terms of results, and we need to preserve that achievement.

Of course, we need a properly funded system, but we first have to see what the decisions of the spending review will be. There's no magic solution when we're looking at the future funding system for Scottish universities.

A number of ways are worth looking at, and a graduate contribution is one possibility, but there are also other possibilities that should be explored.

When this whole issue of higher education funding is being looked at, a key thing to consider is how we maintain our competitive position and continue to attract students.

It may be that the state is prepared to maintain the position we have in Scotland, but if that changes, then we will have to look at a number of other different ways at how we maintain our success and high-quality higher education system.

Some kind of graduate contribution could be part of that, but this all needs to be discussed properly in the context of the reviews currently going on.

Any system must ensure that we maintain high levels of participation in higher education and that we don't disadvantage people, particularly those from poorer backgrounds.

There may also be money to be saved from efficiencies that could lead to an improvement in the funding for Scottish universities. This could include looking at the size of the learning journey and the way courses are organised, as well as building on work that some universities are already undertaking to improve efficiencies.

Others ideas could involve working with further education colleges in some areas and universities co-operating more.

There is not just one answer to how we continue to fund our excellent university system here in Scotland, and we have to listen to as many points of view as possible in the months and years ahead.

There is a possibility that we could go on as we are if ministers wished to put more money into higher education, as institutions like Aberdeen are very well run, offering top-quality courses.

But we're not really going to have a true picture of what will happen until we know what happens with the spending review next month.

Then, of course, there's the publication of the Scottish Government green paper on the issue, with what will be a long-running discussion of how we take forward our universities.

I hope that the Scottish Government will look at all options, but up-front fees must be ruled out as its a measure that would harm participation.

The fact that no-one is seriously advocating this is something that is has got to be welcomed.

• Professor Ian Diamond is Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen.