University future

The Abertay Dundee branch of the University and College Union (ADUCU) would like to clarify our stance as regards the Scottish Funding Council’s calls for a “constructive dialogue” on the future of post-16 education in Tayside, with a view to Dundee’s two universities “working closer together”.

ADUCU acknowledges the threat of forced merger has receded, due to the government’s welcome public statements.

Nevertheless, we are rather anxious that the continuing language used in discussing the future of Abertay and Dundee and any collaboration between them is rather ambiguous.

We are also alarmed at the lack of consultation with those interests that would be directly affected by closer co-operation and the short time scales in which an “understanding” on co-operation is to be reached.

In our view, full consultation must take place with not only staff and students, but also the wider civic Dundee interest, at a speed which allows for any dialogue to be properly facilitated, as it is precisely these groups whose co-operation is essential to ensure any collaboration succeeds.

Students and staff accept that the delivery of post-16 educational provision is a dynamic issue, and we are not at all averse to improvements.

Rather, we would welcome proactive discussion of change, including collaboration with any further or higher education institution in the region; but, most importantly, we would argue strenuously that any change is based on sound academic principles and only takes place where agreement is reached between the parties concerned.

Indeed, staff are already involved in collaborative projects with other education institutions, which sit harmoniously with the government’s post-16 agenda.

We would hope that a public meeting we are organising on Friday 4 November, to which representatives from Civic Dundee and the main political parties (including Mike Russell MSP) have been invited, will help us further clarify the situation.

(Dr) Andrew Samuel

Honorary Secretary

Abertay Dundee University & College Union

Dundee