Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


Cuts 'a threat to universities' R&D status'

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 26 November 2007
SCOTLAND could lose its position as a world leader in research and development because of proposed cuts to higher education funding, according to one of Scotland's leading societies.
The Scottish Government's new budget has allocated universities an increase of less than 3 per cent in real terms over the next three years.

Writing in The Scotsman today, Professor Geoffrey Boulton, general secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, says the "disappointing" settlement will mean Scottish universities cannot compete in the competitive global environment.

He says: "The proposed budgetary settlement for the universities is a severe blow.

"It reverses the trajectory of development that has made such an impression internationally and could inhibit universities' capacities to capitalise on these latter gains."

Prof Boulton adds: "It would undo much good if the impression of a system under threat were created internationally. There has already been such a response in some quarters."



Page 1 of 1

 
1

Abel Magwitch,

26/11/2007 01:27:20

Consider James Clerk Maxwell, William Thompson (Lord Kelvin), Joseph Black, and a long honour roll from Scotland's universities. Can we say that their achievements were due to good government funding? Well not really, because there was NO government funding in those days.

The individual driving force arose from the general culture of education, enlightenment and enquiry. I wonder if such a culture still exists in modern Scotland, or will it exist only if large enough grants are awarded to the right people?

2

Pete39,

Tassy 26/11/2007 05:01:05

Well in higher education as well as sport there is a saying "no pain, no gain". You can throw money at students or universities but unless there is dedication, the end result may be a bit mediocre. So what price dedication and determination?

3

The Forgotten Princess,

Horrendicoot Harassment in Food Lion 26/11/2007 05:43:42

#2

What nonsense! No pain, no gain is a crock with regard to progressing in a sport. Being able to afford or provide proper equipment is essential. And those who really know how to progress in a sport know that this old expression is a myth, and a destructive one at that.

Someone needs to stop these funding cuts for higher education. Those who are willing to be dedicated and learn and grow deserve all of the support they can get.

Some who are dedicated make it, struggling against the odds. Some don't - but would if needed financial and moral support existed for them.

And as to quality of universities.............this should be of utmost importance. This ultimately affects everyone.

Incorporated in the cirriculum should also be courses which emphasize morals and values, and personal integrity among professionals and all. These young people are tomorrows future! Care about them.

4

The Forgotten Princess,

Won't tell until Horrendicoot stops harassing me. 26/11/2007 05:48:44

Example:

Look at my last paragraph. Perhaps it should read, "Incorporated in the cirriculum should be courses which emphasize morals, values, and personal integrity, among professionals and all. These young people are tomorrow's future! Care about them."

You see, there were too many ands in that first sentence. And I forgot the apostrophy in tomorrow's. EDUCATION MATTERS.

5

Boy Wonder,

26/11/2007 10:08:08

Cut down on Universities then! And the faux degrees!

6

Cadgers,

Perth 26/11/2007 10:24:43

#5 Spot on BW. Cut down the number of so called universities and voila! More lucre to go around. Simple. And I've never been to uni!

7

Boy Wonder,

26/11/2007 10:43:54

#6. I can tell! :)))

8

Cadgers,

Perth 26/11/2007 10:49:10

#7 I didnae hink it showed that bad like BW :-0

9

I'm no really here,

26/11/2007 11:29:45

Well said #1. The UK has a cotton-wool culture. I'm surprised H&S rules that kids can't go to uni because their is no guarantee of a job afterwards and their diet is uncertain.

10

karin m,

Fri 30 november boycott the scotsman forums 27/11/2007 00:29:37

3 days to boycott the scotsman day.

Fri 30 november boycott the scotsman forums

any poster failing to adhere to the boycott on fri 30th novemeber will themselves be boycotted.

11

Pete39,

Tassy 27/11/2007 06:27:23

Well the universities want more for research and development. A sensible move since it offers the opportunity to earn bucks. Personally I would believe that it has nothing to do with the government but rather the choice of the University Principle how much he allots of his budget to Research and Development and how much to grotty so called degrees. They used to know how to do it in the old days, are you guys of the latest generation just incompetent?


 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.