| A spokesperson for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) said that, while there was a precedent for a university moving, Abertay would have to have the blessing of the SHEFC over a range of issues before it moved. The threat from Abertay erupted after a failed planning application for a 500-bed accommodation block in Parker Street, despite the fact the university had been directed to the site by council planning officials, who also recommended approval.
Professor Nicholas Terry, Abertay’s deputy principal, shocked academics, students and councillors earlier this week when he said that should the university come to the conclusion its best interests were served by looking for a location outside Dundee, he had every confidence they would have the courage to take that decision.
Further, he disclosed that Abertay had already sounded out Perth and Kinross and Fife councils, as well as local enterprise companies, about moving to these areas. Several sites had been identified in and around Perth, and in Fife the university would consider locations in the Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Leven triangle.
However, it emerged today that such a move would not be without difficulties, and would be dependent on the compliance of SHEFC, who have as yet not been approached by Abertay.
A spokesperson said relocation would not be unique, since Queen Margaret University College is moving from the centre of Edinburgh to East Lothian for reasons not dissimilar to those of Abertay — a campus which has become unsuitable and a lack of development opportunities.
“We’ve not been in contact with Abertay but, in general terms, any institution that wants to relocate would have to have agreement from the council on a range of issues, the main ones being property disposal and reinvestment.”
SHEFC provides just under 50% of the university’s funding. That money cannot be used for capital — that is, building programmes. The remainder is drawn from grants from other bodies. Abertay would have to prove to us the money is in place to do what they want to do, and where it comes from.
“If there is a will, anything is possible, but it will not be easy.”
The impasse between university and council could have an effect on students intending to study at Abertay at a later date, said Dundee East MP Iain Luke.
He’s written to Abertay Principal Professor Bernard King and city council Chief Executive Alex Stephen, offering to mediate in the wrangle. “It seems we’re at an impasse, and there’s a worry students thinking of coming to Dundee to study at Abertay could be affected.
“I’m surprised we’ve got to this stage, because previously we’ve had a very good relationship between university and council. There’s been a breakdown in communications, and I would be happy to help resolve that.”
* Perth will do all it can to find space for Abertay if it chooses to relocate from Dundee, a leading councillor stated today (writes Alan Richardson).
The convener of enterprise and infrastructure, Councillor Alan Livingstone, said the transformation of Perth into a university town would be a “tremendous boost” for the aim of making it Europe’s most dynamic small city by 2010.
Although not in the original vision set down by the council, the presence of a university would provide a vital piece of the “jigsaw” being put together in the Fair City at present. The institution would pump millions into the local economy, both directly and through improving its prestige.
Councillor Livingstone said, “They have declared their hand and the possibility they will move and, if such a possibility exists, we’ll offer them every co-operation. If it ever comes to reality it would be a tremendous boost for Perth. From my angle as convener, if ever we took a university to Perth it would substantially consolidate the importance of the town and help other things fall into place.
“Things like the direct rail link from Edinburgh to Perth would become a better bet, and it would provide impetus for companies and firms to come to Perth.” |
