Dr Lesley Garrick: Care is needed to ensure college mergers deliver the promised higher standards

IT IS good news to hear about the first "concrete" evidence of the merging of three Glasgow colleges – Central, Metropolitan, and Glasgow Nautical – with the announcement of a £5.6 million marine facility on the banks of the Clyde. But when the merger announcement was made, it struck me that the odds are so against mergers in every sector it's a wonder any organisation bothers at all.

According to some in-depth research conducted by Hay Group, nine out of ten corporate mergers fail to deliver fully on their objectives, and mergers between further education institutions fare little better – two-thirds don't raise standards.

Stil...