Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 September 2013
25 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
University of Edinburgh
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 has been created by the University of Edinburgh.
The world rankings that the University of Edinburgh has attained are incredibly impressive and hugely significant. I very much welcome the briefing from the University of Edinburgh because it puts the work of its staff centre stage and rightly congratulates them on the huge amount of effort that they have put in.
As a former academic, I am impressed by the statistics in the briefing, one of which refers to the research assessment exercise in 2008 that showed that 96 per cent of the university’s departments were carrying out world-leading research. That was a huge achievement that cannot be overestimated.
When we think about the pressures of teaching and pastoral work with students, the ability to deliver that level of excellence right across the university is both remarkable and an incredible achievement. The virtuous circle that the university talks about is part of the reason for that success.
The University of Edinburgh has been hugely successful in punching above its weight in all sorts of ways. Jim Eadie, Marco Biagi and Gavin Brown mentioned its research excellence in terms of competitive research grants, and its capacity to generate research grants both from the rest of the UK and at the European Union level is worthy of comment, as is its work on international partnership and co-operation.
I want to comment on two aspects of the university’s research. First, given that the informatics department burned to the ground in 2002, the work that it now turns out is a fantastic achievement. I note the work of the previous Government in helping to build those new research facilities. I am always deeply impressed when I see the range of students and academics who work out of that building. It is a huge achievement.
Secondly, I want to mention briefly the social science and governance work that the university does, which is also groundbreaking. It is not highlighted in Jim Eadie’s motion, but it is worthy of comment. The work that the university is doing to look at the governance of Scotland is first class. It builds on Edinburgh’s history, which, as others have said, is a proud one. Chrystal Macmillan was the first female science graduate from the university, in 1896, and she has inspired generations of women academics. She was a suffragette as well—that is a fantastic town-and-gown comment. We should also welcome the work that is being done on contemporary politics and social sciences, including gender politics and the evaluation of the contribution of women, which is asking some tough questions.
As others have said, we do not have just one university in Edinburgh. We have four universities, and they are all pursuing excellence in their own ways. When I picked up my briefings today before I came into the chamber, I thought that it was an act of chutzpah that Heriot-Watt University wanted to remind us of its achievements as well.
I finish with a point about leadership. In each of our universities we have fantastic leaders, whether it is Professor Tim O’Shea at the University of Edinburgh, who has driven its fantastic record of achievement, Steve Chapman at Heriot-Watt University, or our two newer leaders—Andrea Nolan at Edinburgh Napier University, who is our most recent leader, and Professor Petra Wend at Queen Margaret University. In them, we have four excellent leaders. They are developing slightly different universities, as others have said, but they are all about excellence, access and research, and they are all thinking about how their students will go out into the world and become successful at whatever careers they select.
Tonight, we are celebrating the University of Edinburgh, but let us put on the record the fact that Edinburgh, as a capital and as a city, has the benefit of four universities that are all working incredibly well in collaborating across the rest of Scotland, the UK and the world. That is something that we should all celebrate this evening.
17:33
The world rankings that the University of Edinburgh has attained are incredibly impressive and hugely significant. I very much welcome the briefing from the University of Edinburgh because it puts the work of its staff centre stage and rightly congratulates them on the huge amount of effort that they have put in.
As a former academic, I am impressed by the statistics in the briefing, one of which refers to the research assessment exercise in 2008 that showed that 96 per cent of the university’s departments were carrying out world-leading research. That was a huge achievement that cannot be overestimated.
When we think about the pressures of teaching and pastoral work with students, the ability to deliver that level of excellence right across the university is both remarkable and an incredible achievement. The virtuous circle that the university talks about is part of the reason for that success.
The University of Edinburgh has been hugely successful in punching above its weight in all sorts of ways. Jim Eadie, Marco Biagi and Gavin Brown mentioned its research excellence in terms of competitive research grants, and its capacity to generate research grants both from the rest of the UK and at the European Union level is worthy of comment, as is its work on international partnership and co-operation.
I want to comment on two aspects of the university’s research. First, given that the informatics department burned to the ground in 2002, the work that it now turns out is a fantastic achievement. I note the work of the previous Government in helping to build those new research facilities. I am always deeply impressed when I see the range of students and academics who work out of that building. It is a huge achievement.
Secondly, I want to mention briefly the social science and governance work that the university does, which is also groundbreaking. It is not highlighted in Jim Eadie’s motion, but it is worthy of comment. The work that the university is doing to look at the governance of Scotland is first class. It builds on Edinburgh’s history, which, as others have said, is a proud one. Chrystal Macmillan was the first female science graduate from the university, in 1896, and she has inspired generations of women academics. She was a suffragette as well—that is a fantastic town-and-gown comment. We should also welcome the work that is being done on contemporary politics and social sciences, including gender politics and the evaluation of the contribution of women, which is asking some tough questions.
As others have said, we do not have just one university in Edinburgh. We have four universities, and they are all pursuing excellence in their own ways. When I picked up my briefings today before I came into the chamber, I thought that it was an act of chutzpah that Heriot-Watt University wanted to remind us of its achievements as well.
I finish with a point about leadership. In each of our universities we have fantastic leaders, whether it is Professor Tim O’Shea at the University of Edinburgh, who has driven its fantastic record of achievement, Steve Chapman at Heriot-Watt University, or our two newer leaders—Andrea Nolan at Edinburgh Napier University, who is our most recent leader, and Professor Petra Wend at Queen Margaret University. In them, we have four excellent leaders. They are developing slightly different universities, as others have said, but they are all about excellence, access and research, and they are all thinking about how their students will go out into the world and become successful at whatever careers they select.
Tonight, we are celebrating the University of Edinburgh, but let us put on the record the fact that Edinburgh, as a capital and as a city, has the benefit of four universities that are all working incredibly well in collaborating across the rest of Scotland, the UK and the world. That is something that we should all celebrate this evening.
17:33
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 ...