Mike Russell sets out higher education review

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.