Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 September 2013
25 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
University of Edinburgh
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 to contribute.
After so many strong, fantastic speeches, it is hard to stand up and contribute something meaningful, but I will do my best. I speak with a particular degree of pride, as I am a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.
I will make three comments about the ranking system. I will say something about the ranking system that was used, which puts Edinburgh at 17th on spin-outs. I will talk a little bit about the student experience, which appears in some ranking systems but not the one that was used. Then I will say something about widening access, which, as far as I am aware, does not appear in any of the higher education ranking systems.
Many members talked about spin-outs. There is no doubt that the University of Edinburgh is a world leader in that regard. It is head and shoulders above many other Scottish and, indeed, UK institutions. At the cross-party group on colleges and universities last week, we heard a great presentation from the university. Many of the figures that Gavin Brown used came from that report—which is quite startling—about the University of Edinburgh’s success on spin-out companies.
I hope that the Government is examining what the University of Edinburgh has achieved and is working out how it can share that expertise so that other universities can have the same chance of producing their own income through spin-outs and helping their graduates set themselves up in business.
As I said, student experience does not appear in the QS rankings but does in others. The student experience is important to the marketing of institutions to bring students to particular cities and institutions. A part of the student experience about which I feel strongly is the role of the students association.
One thing that has not been mentioned is the incredible record of Edinburgh University Students Association in contributing to the university community. The university invests a lot of its own money in the students association, and EUSA, as it is known, is perhaps the best-funded students association in the United Kingdom because the university recognises how important it is to have an active student population.
EUSA is important for the academic experience of students. It has fought for longer library opening hours, better feedback on essays and myriad other issues on which the academic element of a student’s experience can be improved.
EUSA is also important for the pastoral services that are available on campus. It has an important welfare service—for which I used to work—which provides front-line welfare advice to students on housing, sexual health, mental health and finances. It provides a range of things that are not necessarily provided at most other institutions.
On representation, the university is brave to invest so much in the students association when the association spends so much time fighting back at the university, but it recognises that that enhances the student experience. It also promotes a sense of citizenship within the student community that equips students with the skills not only to go out into the employment market but to contribute to society. Many great political leaders have come from that student representative sector, so it is worth recognising its role.
I will make a remark about widening access. As far as I am aware, it is not assessed as part of any of the major ranking systems for higher education. That is an interesting point to consider when we think about how we assess how good our universities are.
I am concerned about the degree to which we teach to the test. Universities want high placings in those rankings and, to do that, they will look at what the methodology is and will play to it. They will try to emphasise that experience or expertise in research or whatever else. If the rankings considered widening access, perhaps some of the best universities in the world would invest more of their time and energy in being better at it. We need to consider that and I would be interested to hear the cabinet secretary’s remarks on that issue.
Like others, I pay tribute to a fantastic institution and wish it every success in the future.
17:54
After so many strong, fantastic speeches, it is hard to stand up and contribute something meaningful, but I will do my best. I speak with a particular degree of pride, as I am a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.
I will make three comments about the ranking system. I will say something about the ranking system that was used, which puts Edinburgh at 17th on spin-outs. I will talk a little bit about the student experience, which appears in some ranking systems but not the one that was used. Then I will say something about widening access, which, as far as I am aware, does not appear in any of the higher education ranking systems.
Many members talked about spin-outs. There is no doubt that the University of Edinburgh is a world leader in that regard. It is head and shoulders above many other Scottish and, indeed, UK institutions. At the cross-party group on colleges and universities last week, we heard a great presentation from the university. Many of the figures that Gavin Brown used came from that report—which is quite startling—about the University of Edinburgh’s success on spin-out companies.
I hope that the Government is examining what the University of Edinburgh has achieved and is working out how it can share that expertise so that other universities can have the same chance of producing their own income through spin-outs and helping their graduates set themselves up in business.
As I said, student experience does not appear in the QS rankings but does in others. The student experience is important to the marketing of institutions to bring students to particular cities and institutions. A part of the student experience about which I feel strongly is the role of the students association.
One thing that has not been mentioned is the incredible record of Edinburgh University Students Association in contributing to the university community. The university invests a lot of its own money in the students association, and EUSA, as it is known, is perhaps the best-funded students association in the United Kingdom because the university recognises how important it is to have an active student population.
EUSA is important for the academic experience of students. It has fought for longer library opening hours, better feedback on essays and myriad other issues on which the academic element of a student’s experience can be improved.
EUSA is also important for the pastoral services that are available on campus. It has an important welfare service—for which I used to work—which provides front-line welfare advice to students on housing, sexual health, mental health and finances. It provides a range of things that are not necessarily provided at most other institutions.
On representation, the university is brave to invest so much in the students association when the association spends so much time fighting back at the university, but it recognises that that enhances the student experience. It also promotes a sense of citizenship within the student community that equips students with the skills not only to go out into the employment market but to contribute to society. Many great political leaders have come from that student representative sector, so it is worth recognising its role.
I will make a remark about widening access. As far as I am aware, it is not assessed as part of any of the major ranking systems for higher education. That is an interesting point to consider when we think about how we assess how good our universities are.
I am concerned about the degree to which we teach to the test. Universities want high placings in those rankings and, to do that, they will look at what the methodology is and will play to it. They will try to emphasise that experience or expertise in research or whatever else. If the rankings considered widening access, perhaps some of the best universities in the world would invest more of their time and energy in being better at it. We need to consider that and I would be interested to hear the cabinet secretary’s remarks on that issue.
Like others, I pay tribute to a fantastic institution and wish it every success in the future.
17:54
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 ...