'There will be no forced merger' — campaign wins university pledge from First Minister
Campaigners have declared victory after First Minister Alex Salmond promised there will be no forced merger of Dundee and Abertay universities.
Abertay University students react to the news that a forced merger has been ruled out.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 30.09.11
- Published online : 30.09.11 @ 11.01am
The SNP leader, who failed to rule out the move only last week (link), capitulated in the face of a groundswell of opinion — led by The Courier — against the controversial plan to amalgamate the two institutions.
During First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament, he said: ''Just as there will be no closure of any college or university in Scotland, there will be no forced merger either.''
The pledge followed days of uncertainty in the wake of both universities receiving letters from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) telling them to begin urgent discussions over a merger.
A Scottish Government pre-legislative paper on post-16 education, published earlier this month, proposes to give ministers the power to ''require'' universities to ''implement'' mergers suggested by the SFC.
But Mr Salmond's remarks lifted the threat of forced merger — a development that was immediately welcomed by students and staff at the two institutions.
A spokesman for Abertay University said: ''We are pleased to hear the First Minister confirm that there will be no forced mergers of universities in Scotland. We have repeatedly said that neither ourselves nor Dundee University currently have any plans to merge.
''However, we have agreed to take a leading role in a thorough review of post-16 education across Tayside, in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council and other institutions.''
Dundee's two SNP MSPs — Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick — had earlier held an emergency meeting with Education Secretary Michael Russell over the controversy. They issued a joint statement saying they had lobbied for the threat of imposed merger to be lifted to allow the two universities to discuss ways of sharing services and saving money.
''We have been working hard behind the scenes to address the concerns raised over this issue and are pleased that in our latest meeting we received reassurance that Abertay and Dundee universities would not be forced to merge,'' they said.
''Now that this issue has been clarified it is important that both universities look at ways that they can work together to deliver efficiency saving through shared services in order to protect student numbers and opportunity in these financially challenging times.''
Labour list MSP Jenny Marra, who campaigned against the merger at Holyrood, said she was ''very relieved'' by the news.
''The SNP government has had to respond to huge pressure from staff, students and people in Dundee who know that the two universities work well together, side by side,'' she said.
''It is especially relieving for the Government to clarify that there will be no forced mergers at this time of year when students are deciding which universities to apply to.
''The promise of no forced merger removes the uncertainty that can harm applications and student numbers.''
But Mr Salmond made clear the universities will still be required to come up with proposals — which could include a merger — to share services and cut costs.
Continued...
01.49pm - 30.09.2011 RJ - Dundee, Scotland Report This
This is fantastic news! In the face of such a powerful campaign it's only right Salmond has come to his senses over the rediculous idea of a merger. Well done Abertay Union, well done Jenny Marra. It's just a shame Dundee City's SNP Council wouldn't defend Dundee in the same way!
02.24pm - 30.09.2011 Courage_against_fearmongering - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I would have thought that given the fact that no closure and no forced mergers were ever proposed or seriously considered, that this campaign, backed by Labour at their fearmongering worst, should not be branding this a "victory" at all.
03.56pm - 30.09.2011 Thomas D. - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The LD's Liam McArthur hits the nail on the head when he says this can still be done through the back door. I fear Salmond has relented temporarily, with one eye on next year's elections which says much for the open and transparent policy he promised for the People of Scotland.
03.59pm - 30.09.2011 Kev - Dundee, UK Report This
What was discussed when Robison and FitzPatrick met Mike Russell? Why wasn't Dundee's 3rd MSP, Marra, there?
04.08pm - 30.09.2011 A. Collins - DUNDER, Scotland, U.K. Report This
Speaking as a parent with a potential Abertay student in the future, I welcome this withdrawal by Alex Salmond. The report highlights a meeting education secretary Michael Russell had with Joe Fitzpatrick and Shona Robison. Lecturers, students and parents look forward to feedback.
04.29pm - 30.09.2011 Still Wary - NE Fife, UK Report This
I am curious that Alex Salmond should raise the subject of governance at Abertay - nothing more than an pathetic attempt to excuse his govt.s behaviour. If Alex Salmond had a problem with recent events to Abertay then why didn't he voice them before?
04.32pm - 30.09.2011 R. Smith - Dundee, UK Report This
Jenny Marra wouldn't be there because SNP strategy to find a way around this would have been discussed, and her Scottish Labour background would be an obvious fly in the ointment. But I agree that she should have been there.
06.07pm - 30.09.2011 Hersel - Dundee, Scotland Report This
This is just more of the same old scaremongering we keep getting fed which is so typical from the usual quarters. A campaign whipped up by Labour was totally uncalled for as Mike Russel made it clear in parliament there would be no forced mergers or closures . Jenny Marra was well aware of this as she was there and heard it first hand so why all the scare stories? She wouldn’t have been trying to make political capital out of it would she? Surely not?
06.23pm - 30.09.2011 Gerald H. - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ A. Collins Excuse my pedantry, but other staff group jobs are at risk too! I say at risk because I honestly believe this decision will be overturned some time in the future.
10.10pm - 30.09.2011 A Anderson - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ Kev, I agree whoeheartedly. The SNP government "will find a way" to bring this back to the table despite the fm apparently vowing not to.
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