Hit List for Scottish Universities?

As part of the Scottish Parliament’s attempt to reform and rationalize universities north of the border, Iain Gray of the Labour opposition has claimed there is a hit list of closures that include Abertay in Dundee.

Other than feeling sorry for Abertay who one suspects needs ‘friends’ listing them for the chop like chocolate needs a microwave, what is the current state of play for those looking to apply to a Scottish institution?

Firstly, the 3 year spending review is being conducted with the cooperation not opposition of the Scottish Funding Council; and Universities Scotland’s Convenor (Professor Seamus McDaid) has been quoted as saying “As a sector we will respond to this vote of confidence by delivering the high-level skills, world-leading research and partnerships with business needed to help drive Scotland’s economic growth.” This hardly sounds like a violently opposed blood-letting.

It would appear then that Scottish institutions are being encouraged to think of partnership, joint ventures and even mergers, rather than outright closure. Certainly there maybe campus closures north (as well as south) of the border, but one suspects Scottish universities will be as keen on attracting their own as well as full-fee paying English students in 201-12. As far as Abertay goes, at least Mr Gray acknowledged their world class status in environmental science and computer gaming.