Alex Salmond fails to rule out merger of city universities
First Minister Alex Salmond has repeatedly refused to deny that Dundee and Abertay universities will be forced to merge.
The Courier will be campaigning against a merger of the city's two universities.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 23.09.11
- Published online : 23.09.11 @ 07.58am
As The Courier prepared to launch a campaign to keep the two institutions separate and independent, the controversy also dominated Holyrood.
Labour leader Iain Gray launched a blistering attack on Education Secretary Michael Russell, insisting Abertay is on a ''hitlist'' and due to be ''closed''.
During First Minister's Questions he said: ''Let's have the truth about which universities he has decided to close.
"I will give him a specific university cut. Abertay — 550 staff and 5000 students. Their name is top of the list. Mike Russell is going to force them to merge with Dundee.''
Speculation has been building over the future of the two universities in the wake of a call by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) for Abertay to suspend its search for a new principal.
The Scottish Government has said it will seek powers to force through mergers if it believes they would make financial and educational sense. As one of the smallest universities in Scotland, Abertay has been seen as a potential target.
But the explicit allegation drew an angry response from Mr Salmond, who denied there would be ''closures'' and accused Mr Gray of ''misrepresenting'' the education secretary.
However, further questioned by Labour MSP Jenny Marra, the First Minister refused to rule out a merger between the two institutions.
''As I tried to point out a number of times, Iain Gray twice said that the cabinet secretary had proposed the closure of further and higher and university institutions,'' he said.
''The cabinet secretary never did any such thing. He opened up the possibility of mergers as we've seen in the further and higher education sector, and indeed the university sector.''
- For extensive coverage of the future of the city's universities, see Friday's Courier
Asked by The Courier to clarify the remarks, Mr Salmond's official spokesman later confirmed a merger between the two universities is a ''possibility''.
He said: ''A merger is a possibility across the higher education sector but the allegation that was put today was one of closure and there will be no closures.''
Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick accused Labour of ''disgracefully talking up'' the closure of Abertay, but said the universities should look at merging ''a number of functions''.
The Abertay graduate said: ''There has been no suggestion from the cabinet secretary or anyone apart from Labour's failed leader that Abertay will close.
"They will not be thanked by the university or students for doing so and for seeking to use the future of the institution as a political football. It is too important for that."
He added that the universities should be left to discuss how to secure a "bright future". Mr FitzPatrick said that should include how to continue "the Abertay brand", maintain student numbers, course choices and the quality of teaching and research.
But he added: "There is clearly an opportunity and imperative to look at the merger of a number of functions to preserve the frontline offer to students. That should be the priority rather than spending £1 million over five years to employ a new principal.
"I am confident that Dundee's universities can rise to this challenge."
Ms Marra, who worked at Dundee University before entering politics, will meet Mr Russell next week.
'Uncertainty'
She said: "The government has created a lot of uncertainty this week with its refusal to clarify their plans for Abertay. They need to put a stop to this uncertainty."
She added: "Talk of mergers from Joe FitzPatrick is just smoke and mirrors. Any merger will mean that Abertay is effectively submerged. Abertay is critical to Dundee's economy and for the education of hundreds of Dundonians who get an excellent education there."
An Abertay spokesman confirmed the letter from the SFC had been received.
He said: "The letter makes no reference to merger or closure, so unless and until the government clarifies its position, court will consider its response in the context of the government's white paper on post-16 education in Scotland, published last week.
"Court has also recently approved a new strategic plan for 2011-2015, which envisages Abertay continuing as 'a vibrant and independent university developing across several crucial and exciting areas'. We believe this plan will equip us to make a unique contribution to achieving the government's objectives.
"As with all its deliberations, court's overriding concern is to do whatever is in the best interests of the 550 staff and 5700 students at Abertay."
A government spokesman said: "We continue to discuss and listen to all options to further improve further and higher education. Where closer collaboration, partnership or merger between institutions supports those aims we want to explore them.
"Any mergers would be a matter for the SFC to take forward with relevant institutions."
A Dundee University spokesman reiterated that no merger discussions had taken place.
11.09am - 23.09.2011 Dundee Postgrad - Dundee, Scotland Report This
What happens when you force the 6th best university in the country to merge with the 13th best university (out of 14 - i.e. the second worst university in Scotland)? I don't think this will do Dundee's league table rankings any favours.
11.15am - 23.09.2011 C Sedno - Dundee, UK Report This
I have no axe to grind about this topic, but wonder why would a merger be a bad thing?
02.54pm - 23.09.2011 RJ - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Any merger will be used to mask massive cuts and reduce student places - the SNP are now realising their higher education funding gap estimate of £92m is unrealistic. Dundee city has a good reputation for innovative educational institutions. I don't want that to change.
03.52pm - 23.09.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Labour are running on empty so they've been reduced to making up controversy and creating the very uncertainty they are posturing about. The SNP have raised the possibility of public bodies "merging" to save money while maintaining services. Nothing more. What's Labour's plan? Who knows? They don't.
09.02pm - 23.09.2011 Mature Abertay Student - Broughty Ferry, Dundee Report This
I had the option of both Universities to study at, but chose Abertay as it is a smaller, and therefore more, intimate and supportive learning environment. I do not want to become just another number to my lecturers, but would rather remain as an individual who is known and understood by staff.
02.16pm - 24.09.2011 fg - dundee, scotland Report This
@ RJ The SNP knew all along that there was a massive funding gap, this is their cynical attempt to bridge that hole.
06.14pm - 24.09.2011 Simon Patterson - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Help save our uni and keep Hands Off Abertay! Sign the petition at http://handsoffabertay.co.uk
04.00am - 26.09.2011 fg - dundee, scotland Report This
Simon, it's too late! Rather than sign petitions, who did you and other students vote for on 6 May, 2010?
09.46pm - 26.09.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Will this happen? Maybe. Will Abertay close? No. Will education, the "economy" or Dundee be diminished? No. Will people really be bothered? No ... well, except those with a political axe to grind and desperate to smear the Scot govt with anything they hope will stick. Would savings be made? Yes.
06.31pm - 30.09.2011 G. Gregory - City of London, UK Report This
So Stuart, the Scottish Executive saves money at the risk of the impact on Dundee. And this is a good thing? Are you kidding me? I expect this is a lone voice in Dundee and the wider region and IMPLORE all to back the independence of both Unis!
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