University reform plan is a ‘source of shame’

Scientist critical of Scottish Government

One of Scotland’s foremost scientists called Scottish Government plans for university reform a “source of shame”.

Professor Jim Naismith, a Fellow of the Royal Society and director of the Biomedical Research Complex at St Andrews University, said the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill threatened university autonomy.

In an address at the university’s graduation celebrations, he said: “The UK and Scottish governments, by reducing support for teaching and research, honour the cliché that education is the best investment only in the breach.

“The decrease in government funding is matched by increased government meddling.

“The Scottish Parliament is currently debating a Bill to give the minister extensive ill-defined powers that have the potential to end autonomy, a principle upon which we and other leading universities around the world are built,” he said.

“The Bill also dictates identikit structures for St Andrews and the equally excellent but completely different Glasgow School of Art.

“I do not see any of this enhancing or sustaining excellence, nor am I alone in these concerns.”

The Bill, which is going through the Scottish Parliament, has received backing from the SNP and Labour.

They claim that the changes would make higher education governance more transparent and consistent by requiring university and college governing bodies to have an elected chair and include staff, student and trade union representatives.

The plans have been controversial in higher education circles, and earlier this year St Andrews University principal Professor Louise Richardson aired her concerns.

Professor Naismith continued: “These actions and the underpinning political calculus should trouble the conscience of the civic society of any nation.

“That this is happening in the birthplace of the Enlightenment, home to several of the world’s best universities, and in a country famed for commitment to education is, to me, a Scot, a source of shame.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The key aim of the Higher Education Governance Bill is to modernise the way our universities are run and allow them to show greater transparency and openness.

“The Scottish Government is clear that universities are autonomous bodies.

“This Bill will ensure they are more inclusive so every voice on campus is heard, helping students and staff become more involved in making decisions.”

PROFESSOR JIM NAISMITH