29 September 2011

Jim McGovern, MP for Dundee West, has submitted an Early Day Motion to the House of Commons calling on the SNP to abandon plans to force Scottish universities to merge, particularly highlighting concerns surrounding a proposed forced merger between Dundee and Abertay universities.



The motion will be published after the party conference recess and will state:


That this House condemns proposals put forward by the SNP administration in Holyrood to force Scottish universities to merge and in so doing undermining their academic and administrative independence and calls on them to abandon these proposals; and is particularly concerned that this will have a damaging effect on Dundee and Abertay universities, undermining the distinct cultures and approaches in each, as well as harming a long history of innovation, independence and success in these universities, and creating a potential loss of 500 jobs at Abertay.



This comes as Cabinet Secretary for Education Mike Russell indicated that a merger between Abertay and Dundee universities was not ‘inevitable’.


Mr McGovern has also signed the ‘Hands of Abertay’ petition, which has so far attracted 991 signatures.


Jim McGovern said,


“It is important that the SNP listen to the outrage expressed by both the public and academia about this half baked proposal, that is why I have written to Mike Russell and I have now tabled this motion.”



“It simply isn’t good enough to say that a merger would not be ‘inevitable’.

"He should rule out any forced merger altogether.

"The future of both universities must be decided by them alone, not by government diktat.”



Mr McGovern concluded,



“I have yet to receive a response from Mike Russell, but I hope his acknowledgement that a merger is not certain will soon become a complete u-turn.

"It is only right for the good of Dundee and Abertay universities, and for the city, that this mistaken proposal is overturned as soon as possible.”




 

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