Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 September 2013
25 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
University of Edinburgh
We each choose for ourselves our own yardsticks of success in our lives. All Edinburgh’s universities excel in their own chosen mission. Edinburgh Napier University, for example, is an “innovative and professional university”. The Open University in Scotland, which is based in my constituency, has satisfaction results in the national student survey that other universities could only dream of. In its own words, the University of Edinburgh’s principal aim is to be
“a world-leading centre of academic excellence”.
I thank Jim Eadie for bringing his motion to the chamber. The motion gives the University of Edinburgh’s QS ranking. That is a global, research-intensive ranking that befits a global, research-intensive university. In those rankings, the University of Edinburgh stands above American behemoths such as the University of California, Berkeley, Duke University, Northwestern University and even the ivy league Brown University. [Interruption.] I think that I may have caught whatever Dennis Robertson has. A year at those universities carries a price tag of $19,000 up to $46,000. To the young person from Leith, Liberton, Dumbiedykes or Drylaw, the price tag for a year at the University of Edinburgh is zero.
League tables are not the be-all and end-all. They do not convey the full range of fondness and esteem. As Burns said,
“O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!”
What do people who would not blink at spending $40,000 a year on a degree think about what is offered by the institution on our doorstep? Arcadia University, which is an elite US liberal arts college that specialises in study abroad, describes the University of Edinburgh to its students as
“one of the most distinguished research institutions in Europe.”
It says:
“The University of Edinburgh, with its ancient and modern buildings, its long and storied history, and its lively student atmosphere, is a very popular choice for study abroad students.”
The University of Southern California says:
“Edinburgh is regularly voted one of Europe’s most desirable places to live.”
That is high praise indeed from a university that is based in glamorous Los Angeles. It says:
“There is something for everyone: from museums and art galleries to a great clubbing and music scene. Over half of the city is covered by parkland and public gardens”.
Jamie Slater, who is a study abroad student from Georgetown University in Washington DC and whose blog about her experience in Edinburgh, which is starting right now, is one of the great many out there, has said:
“Before arriving in Edinburgh, I had been told it was a gorgeous and unique city and that I would absolutely love it. I’m happy to say that it has lived up to and surpassed those high expectations.”
Those universities time and again send students to Edinburgh who leave not just satisfied but having made a lifelong connection with the university, the city and the country. The comments may sometimes be more about the city than the university, but the city and the university are interlinked. The city, the nation and the university are interconnected not just through the university bringing excellent teaching and soaring research income, but through its reputation and the people whom it draws, develops and continues to be held dear by. The alumni population spans the globe, from Edinburgh Central to Central America.
I was once a young person who flirted with the University of Edinburgh. At school, it caught my eye across a crowded room full of prospectuses. I was drawn by its charms and applied, only eventually to spurn it and fall into the arms of one of its rivals. After my first degree, it looked like we might have hit it off again, but a dashing southerner came along and made me a better offer. Today, knowing about the real warmth that many feel for the University of Edinburgh, I can only look back and wonder, and perhaps reflect that
“Of all sad words of tongue or pen
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”
17:24
“a world-leading centre of academic excellence”.
I thank Jim Eadie for bringing his motion to the chamber. The motion gives the University of Edinburgh’s QS ranking. That is a global, research-intensive ranking that befits a global, research-intensive university. In those rankings, the University of Edinburgh stands above American behemoths such as the University of California, Berkeley, Duke University, Northwestern University and even the ivy league Brown University. [Interruption.] I think that I may have caught whatever Dennis Robertson has. A year at those universities carries a price tag of $19,000 up to $46,000. To the young person from Leith, Liberton, Dumbiedykes or Drylaw, the price tag for a year at the University of Edinburgh is zero.
League tables are not the be-all and end-all. They do not convey the full range of fondness and esteem. As Burns said,
“O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!”
What do people who would not blink at spending $40,000 a year on a degree think about what is offered by the institution on our doorstep? Arcadia University, which is an elite US liberal arts college that specialises in study abroad, describes the University of Edinburgh to its students as
“one of the most distinguished research institutions in Europe.”
It says:
“The University of Edinburgh, with its ancient and modern buildings, its long and storied history, and its lively student atmosphere, is a very popular choice for study abroad students.”
The University of Southern California says:
“Edinburgh is regularly voted one of Europe’s most desirable places to live.”
That is high praise indeed from a university that is based in glamorous Los Angeles. It says:
“There is something for everyone: from museums and art galleries to a great clubbing and music scene. Over half of the city is covered by parkland and public gardens”.
Jamie Slater, who is a study abroad student from Georgetown University in Washington DC and whose blog about her experience in Edinburgh, which is starting right now, is one of the great many out there, has said:
“Before arriving in Edinburgh, I had been told it was a gorgeous and unique city and that I would absolutely love it. I’m happy to say that it has lived up to and surpassed those high expectations.”
Those universities time and again send students to Edinburgh who leave not just satisfied but having made a lifelong connection with the university, the city and the country. The comments may sometimes be more about the city than the university, but the city and the university are interlinked. The city, the nation and the university are interconnected not just through the university bringing excellent teaching and soaring research income, but through its reputation and the people whom it draws, develops and continues to be held dear by. The alumni population spans the globe, from Edinburgh Central to Central America.
I was once a young person who flirted with the University of Edinburgh. At school, it caught my eye across a crowded room full of prospectuses. I was drawn by its charms and applied, only eventually to spurn it and fall into the arms of one of its rivals. After my first degree, it looked like we might have hit it off again, but a dashing southerner came along and made me a better offer. Today, knowing about the real warmth that many feel for the University of Edinburgh, I can only look back and wonder, and perhaps reflect that
“Of all sad words of tongue or pen
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”
17:24
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-07675, in the name of Jim Eadie, on the University of Edinburgh in the world’s top 20....
Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the debate to Parliament this evening, and I am grateful to all those members who supported the motion in...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Jim Eadie on lodging this important motion and, of course, the University of Edinburgh on achieving top 20 status in the world rankings. Mr Ea...
Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
I have a strict four minutes, so I cannot really take an intervention.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Go on—take an intervention.
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
Okay then.
Joan McAlpine
SNP
On the subject of commercialisation, the member will be aware that Scotland’s fourth leading university, Heriot-Watt University, hosted the converge challeng...
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
I thank Joan McAlpine for that very useful contribution.Going back to my last point, I was pleased, however, by Scottish Enterprise’s plans to open innovatio...
Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (SNP)
SNP
We each choose for ourselves our own yardsticks of success in our lives. All Edinburgh’s universities excel in their own chosen mission. Edinburgh Napier Uni...
Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Jim Eadie on securing the debate and giving a particularly interesting speech on the history of the University of Edinburgh. Marco Biagi talke...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Due to the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice under rule 8.14.3, to extend the debate by ...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, congratulate Jim Eadie on bringing the debate to the chamber. I thank him for doing so because it gives us the chance to talk about the success that ...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I apologise to Jim Eadie and the other members in the chamber that I will not be able to stay for the remainder of the speeches due to another engagement.I, ...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Jim Eadie on securing this debate on the University of Edinburgh’s great achievement, and I thank him for bringing it to Parliament.I am proud...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
The interpretation of waiting lists is very important. If what Hanzala Malik says is the case, I am surprised that he has not been in touch with me directly ...
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I did not want to go into great detail on that topic today, because I want to discuss the positive side of education. However, out of courtesy, I am happy to...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I would be grateful if, in the time that is remaining, you would confine your remarks to the University of Edinburgh.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
Yes, of course, Presiding Officer. I did not really want to get drawn into that issue—that was a passing remark on something that affects higher education.On...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I thank Jim Eadie for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I thank and congratulate all those whose hard work is recognised in this ranking.I am very prou...
Aileen McLeod (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate my colleague Jim Eadie on securing the debate and ensuring that the University of Edinburgh is in no doubt about our support and our gra...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Like others, I congratulate Jim Eadie on hosting the debate and, given that we are still here at 10 minutes to 6, providing an opportunity for so many people...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
I congratulate Jim Eadie on the motion and I declare an interest as I, too, am a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. To extend a metaphor that was used ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Many thanks. I declare my interest as a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. I, too, wish to add my congratulations to the University of Edinburgh and I ...