Meeting of the Parliament 08 March 2016
For a relatively modest piece of proposed legislation, the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill has generated considerable comment. Members of the Education and Culture Committee have certainly heard a number of concerns, some of them justified, others not.
It is important to remember what lies at the heart of the bill: the ambition to democratise, modernise and bring greater transparency to our higher education institutions. It is about making Scotland’s world-class universities even better, by ensuring that they adhere to the highest standards of governance.
It is for that reason that the Education and Culture Committee’s stage 1 report recommended supporting the general principles of the bill. Indeed, the committee’s report was informed by a range of views from across the sector, and it was clear at stage 1 that, although the bill’s overall aims were worth while, more clarity was needed on a range of issues.
I am therefore pleased that the Scottish Government listened carefully to the concerns that were raised in the report and took steps to amend the bill accordingly. The cabinet secretary worked to address concerns about the possible unintended consequences of the bill, and the reclassification issue has been a good example of that. In response to the stage 1 report, the Scottish Government said that it had considered the risk to HEls of being reclassified as public bodies, and it subsequently amended the bill at stage 2 to minimise the risk of reclassification by the Office for National Statistics.
Another criticism that was levelled at the bill, which was reflected in the committee’s stage 1 report, was the apparent risk to the role of rectors at the ancient universities. Again, the Scottish Government responded positively to those concerns. I was pleased to introduce amendments at stage 2—along with the cabinet secretary—that I believe protect the statutory rights and responsibilities of rectors and ensure that their position is complementary to that of the senior lay member.
As the cabinet secretary has said, it was never the Government’s intention to diminish the role of rector; in fact, the work of the rectors at Scotland’s ancient universities is viewed very positively, and it is hoped that the extension of the elected chair model will benefit all of Scotland’s HEls.
The remuneration of chairs was another key issue that was raised at stage 1, with a call for further clarity on the need for introducing a statutory power to set the level of remuneration. The cabinet secretary sought to build a consensus among stakeholders and supported amendments to ensure reasonable remuneration for elected chairs, while removing the requirement to have ministerial powers in that area. That is a welcome step, and I note that the National Union of Students Scotland has highlighted it as an important aspect of widening access to the role of elected chair.
When considering the bill, it is worth remembering that its proposals are underpinned by the recommendations that were put forward by Professor von Prondzynski, following his 2012 review of higher education governance, which gathered evidence from a range of experts based in Scotland, the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond.
The bill is not about the Government taking control of universities; rather, it is about ensuring that every voice on campus is given the chance to be heard. It is about ensuring that students and staff—the lifeblood of our higher education institutions—are placed at the very heart of the decision-making process.
It is to be welcomed that the introduction of the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill has sparked debate on a range of issues facing HEIs, including equality, diversity and senior pay levels, an issue on which research published by the University and College Union has shone light in recent weeks. Those are undoubtedly important matters, and I would expect further examination of them during the next session of Parliament.
I believe that strengthening the democratic processes at our universities is a good thing. I look forward to the bill, if it is passed, ensuring that Scotland’s higher education sector continues to go from strength to strength.
18:45