Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 September 2013
25 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
University of Edinburgh
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 proud of the six higher education institutions that are headquartered in the Lothians. Each of them provides excellent education to thousands of students and carries out excellent research. There is, of course, some subjectivity in assessing the quality of teaching and research, but the rankings are made in a consistent way each year, so it is fantastic to see the University of Edinburgh achieving a ranking of 17th in the world in the QS rankings.
The University of Edinburgh has always performed very well in the research assessment exercise. In the most recent RAE, in 2008, it had the largest amount of research judged to be of world-class quality—that is, four-star quality—out of all the Scottish universities. That is a reflection of the university’s long history of excellence in not just the kind of blue-sky research that led Peter Higgs to the discovery of the Higgs boson, but research that is designed to tackle immediate problems that affect people.
A huge amount of world-class medical research takes place at the University of Edinburgh. I could go on for hours about it, but I will mention just one example that I am particularly impressed by—the Delbox, which was invented by Professor Alasdair MacLullich of the university’s college of medicine, uses a deceptively simple collection of flashing lights and buttons to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with dementia by identifying whether they have delirium.
I want to see more opportunities for women to contribute to excellent research in universities, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, which have chronically low numbers of women professors. The University of Edinburgh is leading the way forward. I applaud Professor Lesley Yellowlees, who is head of the University of Edinburgh’s college of science and engineering, for championing initiatives across the university, working with the Equality Challenge Unit under the banner of the Athena SWAN programme and taking a sophisticated and broad-ranging approach, raising awareness of unconscious bias and other forms of discrimination so that they can be eliminated. The university’s 17th place in the QS rankings is proof positive that taking an enlightened approach to equality and diversity is the best way to increase organisational effectiveness because it draws on the widest possible pool of talent and lets all staff know that their creativity and hard work will be recognised and rewarded fairly.
We also need to see action to involve more women, more people with disabilities and more people from ethnic minorities in the university courts, which are the governing bodies of Scottish universities. That is why I have written to Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, the principal of the University of Edinburgh, and the principals of the other five universities that are headquartered in my region, asking them to take up the recommendations of the Equality Challenge Unit to improve diversity on their governing bodies. I have had some fairly encouraging replies to date.
I would like all the universities to rethink their use of zero-hours contracts, so I was delighted to hear the University of Edinburgh announce recently that it will review the use of zero-hours contracts. I call on all the universities in Scotland to follow the University of Edinburgh’s example on that issue.
In recent years, the students of the university have worked with their elected green rectors—including my predecessor MSPs, Robin Harper and Mark Ballard, and the current rector, Peter McColl—to influence the running of the institution in positive ways, as a result of which above-inflation rent increases in university accommodation have been ended, the number of access bursaries has been increased and it has been ensured that international students have fixed fees for their entire degree programme. They will go on campaigning for an end to zero-hours contracts, for the setting up of a student housing co-operative and for ethical investment of the university’s endowments.
I am conscious of the time. I am sure that all members who are in the chamber are committed to helping the university to continue to deliver world-class education and research for another 431 years.
17:45
I am very proud of the six higher education institutions that are headquartered in the Lothians. Each of them provides excellent education to thousands of students and carries out excellent research. There is, of course, some subjectivity in assessing the quality of teaching and research, but the rankings are made in a consistent way each year, so it is fantastic to see the University of Edinburgh achieving a ranking of 17th in the world in the QS rankings.
The University of Edinburgh has always performed very well in the research assessment exercise. In the most recent RAE, in 2008, it had the largest amount of research judged to be of world-class quality—that is, four-star quality—out of all the Scottish universities. That is a reflection of the university’s long history of excellence in not just the kind of blue-sky research that led Peter Higgs to the discovery of the Higgs boson, but research that is designed to tackle immediate problems that affect people.
A huge amount of world-class medical research takes place at the University of Edinburgh. I could go on for hours about it, but I will mention just one example that I am particularly impressed by—the Delbox, which was invented by Professor Alasdair MacLullich of the university’s college of medicine, uses a deceptively simple collection of flashing lights and buttons to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with dementia by identifying whether they have delirium.
I want to see more opportunities for women to contribute to excellent research in universities, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, which have chronically low numbers of women professors. The University of Edinburgh is leading the way forward. I applaud Professor Lesley Yellowlees, who is head of the University of Edinburgh’s college of science and engineering, for championing initiatives across the university, working with the Equality Challenge Unit under the banner of the Athena SWAN programme and taking a sophisticated and broad-ranging approach, raising awareness of unconscious bias and other forms of discrimination so that they can be eliminated. The university’s 17th place in the QS rankings is proof positive that taking an enlightened approach to equality and diversity is the best way to increase organisational effectiveness because it draws on the widest possible pool of talent and lets all staff know that their creativity and hard work will be recognised and rewarded fairly.
We also need to see action to involve more women, more people with disabilities and more people from ethnic minorities in the university courts, which are the governing bodies of Scottish universities. That is why I have written to Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, the principal of the University of Edinburgh, and the principals of the other five universities that are headquartered in my region, asking them to take up the recommendations of the Equality Challenge Unit to improve diversity on their governing bodies. I have had some fairly encouraging replies to date.
I would like all the universities to rethink their use of zero-hours contracts, so I was delighted to hear the University of Edinburgh announce recently that it will review the use of zero-hours contracts. I call on all the universities in Scotland to follow the University of Edinburgh’s example on that issue.
In recent years, the students of the university have worked with their elected green rectors—including my predecessor MSPs, Robin Harper and Mark Ballard, and the current rector, Peter McColl—to influence the running of the institution in positive ways, as a result of which above-inflation rent increases in university accommodation have been ended, the number of access bursaries has been increased and it has been ensured that international students have fixed fees for their entire degree programme. They will go on campaigning for an end to zero-hours contracts, for the setting up of a student housing co-operative and for ethical investment of the university’s endowments.
I am conscious of the time. I am sure that all members who are in the chamber are committed to helping the university to continue to deliver world-class education and research for another 431 years.
17:45
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 ...