News
us to plan a coherence of research addressed, King says but suggests more important than ever.
NEWS IN BRIEF
and provision, not reproduce what that “University of the East of “Abertay was set up as an indus-
But the Assembly’s audit commit-
we’re doing and use technology in Scotland” could be an effective trial university to meet the needs of
tee said the end result was an iconic
different ways,” he says. international brand. industry, commerce and the profes-
landmark building with “exemplar”
A federal structure would This comes ahead of the final sions. So I have no problem with
environmental credentials.
afford a number of benefits, King report of the Joint Future Thinking trying to meet those needs. That “While there were problems with
believes, including an ability to Taskforce on universities – between was my purpose; it’s our mission…
rising costs with the original project,
fund more research, an opportunity the Scottish Government, the Scot- I firmly subscribe to it. I do genu-
it is reassuring that when it restarted
to provide a better link to further tish Funding Council and universi- inely believe that for an institution,
sound measures were in place to
control costs and ensure it was com-
education colleges and to deliver ties – expected to be published this the mission of which is to meet
pleted satisfactorily,” said committee
improved student services. week. The group’s interim report the needs of industry, commerce
chair David Melding AM.
“So, for example, we would advocated collaboration between and the professions, that actually,
do new things together, probably institutions. we have something to do with the CouNCILS IN tax WaRNINg
combine our portfolios, enrich our As the only university in the economy. And so it’s not just an
Council tax increases of 5 per cent
portfolios, jointly deliver on emer- UK with Skillset accreditation for ivory tower of blue-sky research
are on the cards across Wales unless
gent areas, internationally market computer games and computer with an endless public purse of
ministers boost the “poor” financial
settlement, councils have warned.
combined portfolios and perhaps arts, Abertay specialises in the cre- money that allows me to do things
The Welsh Local Government
provide the best type of back-up ative industries and last year one of I feel like doing. Sorry, it’s a grown
Association is calling on the Welsh As-
services for our students in careers, its teams won the first-ever BAFTA up world now, a credit-crunch
sembly Government to hand back to
in counselling, in support – there’s awarded for a video game devel- world and I think we’ve all got to councils the 1 per cent of the settle-
a whole lot of things that we would oped by a group of students. King play a part in trying to develop the
ment top-sliced as efficiency savings.
get through critical mass. It’s very argues that post-92s like Abertay economy,” he says. HM
John Davies, leader of the WLGA,
exciting,” he states. interface directly with industry and
said the move would put £38m
into the hands of council taxpay-
A name for the potential fed- in the current economic climate, For full interview, see Special Report page
ers. “It would be Wales’ own unique
eral university has not yet been this central role in the economy is 16
contribution to helping people who
are suffering from higher bills and
financial problems but would also
Universities Scotland set to launch economic campaign
show the concerted effort of all tiers
of elected government in Wales to
Exclusive based economy capable of adapt- Scotland to develop a greater resil-
help their communities,” he said.
By Cera Murtagh ing to change, he says. ience to economic shocks.”
CaRE dEBatE LauNChEd
In the wake of the recent economic “Scotland cannot bank on a The universities body, which
A debate has been launched by the
crisis, Universities Scotland is set to single (or small number of) indus- represents principals and is soon to
Welsh Assembly Government into the
launch a high-profile campaign to tries to generate economic growth. form part of an advisory group to funding of care services.
highlight the importance of Scot- Any industry has the potential Scottish ministers, has decided to
The consultation will focus
land investing in skills and innova- to go into rapid decline, and our take the initiative on this issue. It
on the changes needed to meet
tion. industrial policy cannot be focused is bringing together some of Scot-
future needs and the “balance of
responsibility” between the state, the
Writing in Holyrood, Universi- on particular sectors. It has to be land’s top economists in a high-
individual and the family.
ties Scotland convener and promi- focused on creating the right con- profile campaign to illustrate to the
“Almost every family in Wales
nent economist Professor Anton ditions for knowledge-based indus- public the importance of investing
faces the reality that people they love
Muscatelli reveals that the body is tries to develop and thrive,” Mus- in high-level skills and innovation. may need care and support because
planning a “major intervention in catelli writes. “This message is so important
of age or disability,” said Deputy
the economic debate in Scotland”. “Even if the financial sector now that Universities Scotland is
Minister for Social Services Gwenda
In light of the recent turmoil recovers, unless Scotland develops working to develop a major inter-
Thomas.
“Because of major changes –
in Scotland’s financial sector, the a capacity to grow new industries, vention in the economic debate in
both demographic and societal – we
professor argues that the country to replace old industries with new Scotland,” Muscatelli explains.
have to think very carefully about
cannot depend on any one sector ones, then Scotland’s long-run eco- “Bringing forward Keynesian-
how the care system will need to
for growth. It must invest in inno- nomic prospects look gloomy. A style construction projects can play change in order to ensure that future
vation and develop a knowledge- capacity to innovate would allow an important part in softening >>
needs and demands are appropri-
ately met.”
haCKWatCh
oN votINg FoR oBaMa
WatChdog to PRoBE
Yes, yes, yes. I, too, took pleasure in Party, for which I recommended silly enough to endorse them are
EMERgENCy SERvICES
standing in line and in exchanging a vote last time, not to try any of “real Americans.” No more sneers
An inquiry into unplanned health and
pleasantries and greetings with this shit again. No more McCarthy at San Francisco as if it weren’t a
social care services is to be launched
the amazingly courteous staff at tactics; no more stumblebum real American city. McCain and his
by the Wales Audit Office.
my polling station and the many quitting of the campaign trail preposterous running mate will
The body is asking patients to
citizens of my delightfully diverse and attempting to pull out of just have to believe in an afterlife
share their experiences of NHS Direct,
Washington neighbourhood. I, too, the first presidential debate in in which they can live down the
accident and emergency and out of
am still wearing my lapel sticker, order to wind up voting to save shame of what they attempted
hours services.
with the jaunty words “I Voted.” Lehman Bros.; no more driveling this year.
“The current unscheduled care
And I found it pretty easy to cast Christian fundamentalism; no Christopher hitchens,
system is complex and can be confus-
a vote that told the Republican more insinuation that only those Nov 10, Slate.com
ing,” it said.
| www.holyrood.com | Holyrood magazine | 17 November 2008 |
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