City Council makes voice heard on Abertay University

At tonight's City Council meetings there was an emergency debate on the future of Dundee's universities. There was an excellent contribution to this from William Mohieddeen, President of the Students' Association at Abertay and Kev Rooney of the Save Abertay campaign as a delegation at the start of the discussion. The Labour Group put forward a proposal as did the Liberal Democrats, the SNP put forward a motion which did not go as far as the Labour and Liberal Democrat amendments. Many SNP members said that there were no proposals to merge the universities, if they really believed this it begs the question why on earth had they brought forward an emergency motion on the issue. Some also claimed that Labour had made up claims that there was pressure being put on the universities to merge. Clearly this ignores the extensive press coverage over the last few days and indeed a statement by Joe FitzPatrick MSP when he said, "Abertay should be given the time and space to discuss with Dundee University what options there are to secure a bright future for higher education in the city, which ensures the continuation of the Abertay brand, maintains student numbers, course choices and the quality teaching and research the city is known for.

“There is clearly an opportunity and imperative to look at the merger of a number of functions to preserve the front line offer to students in Dundee.

“That should be the priority rather than spending £1million over 5 years to employ a new principal. I am confident that Dundee’s universities can rise to this challenge”


It is clear that nobody at either Dundee or Abertay initiated this process, this is a top down agenda.


The Council should be standing up for the city and putting the interests of the city first, I don't think that a merger of the universities does this. Ideas such as sharing a principal just don't preserve the autonomy of the universities. City Councillors would not accept a joint Chief Executive between Dundee and for example Perth and Kinross Council.


The eventual Labour and Liberal Democrat amendment which was the only one with cross-party support from Labour, Liberal Democrats, Tories and the Lord Provost was as follows:


"That this Council is concerned at the prospect of the University of Abertay merging with the University of Dundee; considers that any attempt to do so is likely to result in the University of Abertay being subsumed into the University of Dundee; recognises the unique and distinct educational experiences offered by both universities as separate institutions; appreciates that the University of Abertay has a strong record of educating students from non-traditional backgrounds; appreciates that the University of Abertay has a pivotal role in the local Dundee economy, and believes that any merger will risk jobs in both universities


The City Council recognises that it would be highly detrimental to the City of Dundee if the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay Dundee, were forced to merge.


The City Council further recognises that both our universities are dynamic institutions but their focus is rightly different and they complement one another. That would be lost by a forced merger, with a detrimental impact on the availability and diversity of course provision.


Dundee City Council makes clear its outright and unequivocal opposition to the merger of the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay Dundee.


It therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Mike Russell MSP, to the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP and to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, Mark Batho, making clear the City Council's outright opposition to a merger of the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay Dundee."
The SNP Group forced through their motion with a slight amendment, which is below. At least they have stated clearly that they want the universities to continue as autonomous institutions.

"The Council strongly supports the continued status of Dundee and Abertay Universities as independent autonomous institutions.

The Council further notes that all public sector institutions are operating in a period of severe financial constraint as a result of Westminster government policy and considers that the strong case for retaining both institutions can be greatly enhanced by closer mutual working relationships."

They will also write the Education Secretary, the First Minister and the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council.

It was a shame that the council did not speak with one voice and that a genuine cross-party amendment was rejected in favour of a motion which includes petty party political posturing, I am no fan of the current Westminster government but it is far more important that we support Dundee's universities rather than make political points against the UK Government.