Students’ petition aims to save course
A group of students have started a petition to try and save West Lothian’s only honours degree.
The students from West Lothian College decided to lobby Napier University when it was revealed funding had been pulled.
The two institutions had jointly delivered the business honours degree from West Lothian College for the past decade and 350 students graduated with the qualification.
Local MSPs Neil Findlay and Miles Brigg have already submitted Parliamentary Questions to the Scottish Government appealing for help.
Student, Aimee Harrington, explained: “We – the students – want to appeal directly to Richard Lochhead, Further and Higher Education Minister and to Edinburgh Napier University to find a resolution to this issue that does not see us suffer as a result of these cuts. We have worked extremely hard - as I’m sure many keen business students will in the future - to ensure we have the best chance of reaching our full potential and this degree being delivered at West Lothian College provides a huge incentive to the local community. Many who may have limited access to equal opportunities and to remove this hosting would see West Lothian and surrounding areas at an unfair disadvantage and stifles the local communities’ ability to build better from within. Please review our petition and our appeal and do what you can to help us Save our Degree.”
The degree at the college provided access to education for students from all backgrounds, many of whom were
unable to attend university for a multitude of reasons. Aimee says she is one such person and worries that what losing this vital resource will mean to the county.
She had to stall her time as a student to take up caring responsibilities within the family. The nature of college made it easier for her to return and she was managing to twin her other responsibilities with her education.
However, she says this will be impossible at university and is now working alongside her peers to try and keep the degree in West Lothian.
Edinburgh Napier University told The Courier talks with the college are ongoing
to explore options for the future
A spokesperson said: “As part of a review of our portfolio of programmes, we will cease to offer the BA Business Management degree at West Lothian College. The way in which the programme is delivered does not meet the requirements for AACSB, the internationally recognised accreditation our Business School has been working towards. The reasons behind the decision were discussed with the college and all actions agreed prior to informing students. Our programme leader will continue to work with West Lothian College colleagues to support students
in their studies and offer guidance on the most appropriate way to complete their degree.”
A West Lothian College spokesperson said: “It is positive that our students have the confidence and awareness to use all the democratic tools available to them to express their disappointment that the BA Business degree will not be delivered at the college from next year. The college is continuing to work with Edinburgh Napier University to seek an alternative pathway for students to undertake their degree.” To view the petition: https:// www.change.org/p/richard-lochheadsave-our-degree-wlc?redirect=false