Dundee and Abertay universities ordered to hold merger talks
Abertay and Dundee universities have already been ordered to begin "urgent" talks over a merger.
Abertay students reading of The Courier's support for Abertay's independence. From left — Linzi Bremner, Nicola Schaum, Louise Jeffrey, Victoria Lamont and Ashley Newson.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 24.09.11
- Published online : 24.09.11 @ 08.47am
Less than five hours after First Minister Alex Salmond refused to confirm the two institutions had been earmarked for a possible merger, letters from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) were delivered to each on Thursday "requesting" they initiate discussions over a merger.
Abertay University accused the SFC of an "inappropriate" level of interference in its affairs. It is understood that senior figures at Dundee University are also aggrieved at the way the SFC has handled the proposed merger, with plans leaked to the press before the universities were officially notified.
The possibility of a merger had not been raised formally or informally with either university until the letters were delivered. Both said the request came as a complete surprise.
The Abertay branch of the Universities and Colleges union has warned of "large-scale" redundancies if the merger goes ahead.
Rumours have been circulating about the future of Abertay since the SFC wrote telling it to suspend its search for a new principal.
This came just days after the Scottish Government revealed it is to give the SFC the power to order mergers where it believes they will make financial and educational sense.
Abertay said it received an email from the Scottish Funding Council late on Thursday saying it urgently wished to discuss the terms of a merger with Dundee University.
"We are puzzled by this because ... the funding council had not seen our response to their earlier letter requesting us to delay the recruitment of a new principal and to carry out an evaluation of the university's role within Scottish higher education," said a spokeman.
"We will be seeking clarification from the funding council as to why they have sent us two apparently conflicting letters.
"Abertay has carved out a highly distinctive and successful role for itself within both Scottish and UK higher education, and partnerships with other institutions have been a key factor.
"We have responded to the funding council's first letter positively and constructively. The second letter represents an unprecedented degree of direction that we consider inappropriate to our role as an autonomous and demonstrably successful institution."
'Totally unexpected'
Dundee University said: "This communication was totally unexpected. We are aware of the previous correspondence between the funding council and Abertay. However, Dundee University is currently not involved in any discussions with our sister institution regarding merger."
Senior management and the university court will consider the request.
It added: "We are dismayed that details of the nature of this letter were leaked to the press before it had even been sent to the institutions involved. This is clearly unacceptable.
"Dundee University is a highly successful institution and, like the rest of the sector, has a strong record of developing effective partnerships.
"We are more than willing to engage with like-minded institutions to enhance collaboration and efficiency. However, it is important that any discussions are driven forward by willing and autonomous partners, and where they make clear academic and financial sense."
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Funding Council said: "We can't comment on the private letters that are sent to university principals."
She was unable to give any details on when the SFC expects the talks to begin.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra, a former head of communications at Dundee University, fears Abertay's unique identity would be subsumed by the larger institution should a merger take place.
"This letter only confirms what the First Minister was at great pains to deny — that the SNP plans to submerge Abertay University into Dundee University," she said.
"It is my understanding that this letter was written by the SFC at the direct order of Education Secretary Mike Russell. The manner in which Mike Russell has gone about this is despicable.
"(He) should have more respect for the autonomy of universities than to dictate to them in this manner."
- We will be campaigning against any merger of Dundee two universities. See The Courier every day for in-depth coverage.
09.27am - 24.09.2011 Concerned Graduate - Dundee, Scotland Report This
This is just plain wrong! Being a graduate of both, I can honestly say both universities are very different and unique in their own ways. This would be bad for Dundee secondary pupils and very bad for Abertay which would, I believe, be swallowed up by Dundee without any increase in student places
11.31am - 24.09.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
A Labour politician keen to stick something, anything on the Scottish Govt says "it is my understanding". In other words, she has no proof and is making it up. Money from W'minster is being cut and savings have to be made. If sharing back room services can protect front line education .. look at it.
11.47am - 24.09.2011 sue hamilton - Dundee, UK Report This
Clearly this was planned from the beginning of the Prof Bernard King fiasco. The Al Maktoum applying for Univeristy College status would take Dundee to 3 university campuses and there are those who cannot allow that to happen. The V&A at Dundee is a consolation prize for the loss of a university.
11.51am - 24.09.2011 RJ - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Exactly, Abertay will be submerged. And, it'll lead to fewer student places, fewer courses and less funding. I though the SNP were proud of, and determined to protect, Scotland's education system! Doesn't look like it to me! For Mike Russell to be forcing it through makes the whole thing even worse.
12.57pm - 24.09.2011 Concerned Citizen - Forfar, Scotland Report This
The problem is.....universities are too divorced from the "real world", too many are wrapped up in academia, without considering the vast majority of students are there to improve their career prospects, not just to learn something new. Yet they fail to help them by building strong links to industry
02.05pm - 24.09.2011 Jimbo - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
In this financial climate it makes sense to reduce the number of state universities through merger. There's a huge amount of duplication across the sector that could easily be addressed by having one university per city in Scotland; a reduction from 21 higher eds to 6. I'm fully supportive.
02.14pm - 24.09.2011 Don - Edinburgh, Scotland UK Report This
Well, folks, you reaps what you sows, sorry but vote SNP and get surprises galore. The timing is simply awful, worse there was no mention in the SNP manifesto. Better still, Mike Russell ducks and gets his lackeys at the SFC to do his dirty work. They wouldn't dare try this with Edinburgh.
02.22pm - 24.09.2011 Bill T. - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Rneging on a promise o scrap student debt and change loans into grants was the start. Now their Uni is under threat. How many kicks in the teeth should people get?These students shoulmalt test at the next elections. What pity they are not for another FOUR years.
02.26pm - 24.09.2011 Alan R - Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom Report This
Talk about naivety? What exactly was "totally unexpected". The SNP govt. Has (at least) a near £100m funding hole to fill. How else were they to do it?
02.47pm - 24.09.2011 WS - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
Ordered not requested. Says it all about the kind of govt. we have voted in. Whatever happened to the respect agenda, or is that a hammer held back to bash the English over the head with?
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