Pressure on institutions to join forces likely to increase

WHILE Mike Russell’s announcement was billed as a radical change to Scotland’s colleges and universities, the process of merging institutions has been ongoing for years.

Indeed, over the past 20 years there have been ten university mergers.

In the college sector, last year saw the creation of Scotland’s largest further education institution when Central College Glasgow, Glasgow Metropolitan College and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies merged to form the new City of Glasgow College.

Next year will see the creation of an “Edinburgh city region” college when Stevenson and Jewel & Esk join forces.

In both cases, one other city college chose not to join the merger, with Telford College in Edinburgh and Stow College in Glasgow choosing to remain independent.

However, those colleges are now likely to come under increasing pressure to reconsider following yesterday’s announcement.

It is hoped that reducing the number of institutions and therefore the number of colleges offering the same course will help lower costs.

John Spencer, convener of the Principals’ Convention for Scotland’s Colleges, said: “Colleges are part of a dynamic sector which pro-actively seeks to adapt to the changing needs of Scotland.

“We will not shy away from further reform where it benefits learners and the economy.

“We will consider the detail of this paper over the coming weeks of the consultation and seek to engage constructively with the government as it progresses.”

Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, added: “We share the fundamental belief, central to this announcement, that the learner should be the focus of and reason for any and all necessary change.”

CHRIS MARSHALL