University funds

I thought Gary Devlin’s Platform piece (“The challenge facing our universities can be met”, 31 October) was interesting not least because he touches on some salient points currently up for discussion in the Scottish Government’s white paper on post-16 reform.

He is also right to point out that there is much that universities already do, and can look to do more of, to support the success of Scotland’s cities and wider economic growth.

This is a challenge Scotland’s universities are keen to deliver on. Certainly the recent funding settlement universities received in the spending review, which will see an increase in funding for teaching and research over the period to 2015 in contrast to the cuts mentioned by Mr Devlin, will enable universities to deliver on their ambitions in these areas.

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The commitment shown to the university sector by the Scottish Government in the recent spending review offers universities a solid basis on which to deliver for Scotland.

The challenge now is to ensure every one of Scotland’s 19 universities continues to make a distinctive and excellent contribution.

Alastair Sim

Universities Scotland

Hanover Street