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| CBI Scotland warns Holyrood over science university cuts |
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Originally published on March 2nd, 2010 The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), has condemned the decision of the Scottish Government to cut the number of science and engineering places at Scottish universities.
CBI Scotland believes that such cuts will have long-term negative consequences for the advancement of technology in the UK and for the economy. CBI Scotland spokesman David Lonsdale told The Student: “Given the state of the public finances tough choices undoubtedly need to be made. “However, our economy can ill afford a prolonged period with fewer graduates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, especially if it is compounded with fewer teachers and tutors in these disciplines coming through the system. It could hamper efforts to build a low carbon economy and hold back important industries such as energy, electronics, life sciences, aerospace and defence.” The Scottish Government has defended the move pointing to the fact that the Scottish university budget is set to grow over the next twelve months. They state the policy strikes a balance between maintaining university standards and the uncertainty at Holyrood about the budget that will be received from the Treasury next year. CBI Scotland recently submitted a response to the Scottish government’s proposed budget, which Lonsdale said “includes suggestions for how they might save money in order to reinvest some of it in helping the economy.” Ministers provided finalised written guidance about the proposals after they were discussed at a Universities Scotland’s Executive Committee meeting last November. The announcement of cuts in science, technology, engineering and maths comes at a time when teaching training places are being cut by 40 percent. Under the new policy, universities could be fined for ignoring the cap placed by the government if they exceed it by more than ten percent. The Daily Telegraph has predicted that as many as 10,000 Scots may miss out on university places this coming school year because of cuts. The Scottish Government had previously allowed universities to admit as many students as they chose, not least because they helped keep young people and returning students off unemployment registers. Scottish Labour education spokesman Des McNulty called the cap on places a 'kick in the teeth.' He added: “Scotland will need highly-qualified graduates in these key disciplines to remain competitive in the future. It is perverse for the SNP government in Edinburgh to cap these disciplines, especially when there are so many high-quality applicants seeking admission,” Scottish Lib Dem education spokesman Hugh O’Donnell agreed, saying, “Scotland needs a skilled work force to help our economy recover and to support sustainable growth in the future.”
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