Lobbying group joins criticism of Higher Education Governance Bill

An influential business lobby group has declared it shares concerns about controversial proposed changes to the governance of Scottish universities.

The executive director of the Institute of Directors Scotland (IoDS) has written a submission to Holyrood’s Education Committee in which he claims the proposals “would undermine the autonomy and flexibility of Scotland’s universities”.

The Higher Education Governance Bill, currently progressing through Holyrood, makes provisions about the composition of and appointment to the governing bodies and academic boards of higher education institutions.

Last week, it was criticised by US whistleblower Edward Snowden speaking via live video link from Moscow to students at the University of Glasgow, which elected him as rector last year.

David Watt of the IoDS wrote in his submission: “We believe it is wrong in principle … to legislate on the internal governance of autonomous charitable organisations such as universities and that the proposals would undermine the autonomy and flexibility of Scotland’s universities.

“Given the tremendous success of our universities at home and abroad and their exceptional international reputation we are unclear what the problem is that this whole exercise is trying to solve.

“We recognise the need for the Scottish Government to hold to account organisations which benefit from significant amounts of public funding, but it is hard to identify any delivery or performance issues which would be improved by the proposed changes.”

He added: “The success of Scotland’s universities has been based on autonomy and innovation and we fail to see how the application of a one governance model fits all strengthens this.

“We are concerned that increased government control and ministerial influence over the operation of our universities could have wide-reaching adverse consequences which could impact both on the future success of these institutions and the wider Scottish economy.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “Any suggestion of us exerting greater direct control over the sector is just wrong.

“The bill simply aims to improve governance by enabling our higher education institutions to embrace greater transparency and inclusivity in their governance arrangements.

“We will continue to take careful note of every constructive comment and suggestion made by stakeholders as the Bill progresses through Parliament.”