Present:

Brian Adam	Mr Richard Baker
Chris Ballance	Susan Deacon
Murdo Fraser	Christine May
Alasdair Morgan (Convener)	Mr Jamie Stone

Apologies were received from Mike Watson

Also present: Des McNulty

The meeting opened at 2.00 pm

1. Item in private: The Committee agreed to take agenda item 3 in private.

2. Scottish Solutions Inquiry: The Committee took evidence from-

David Bleiman, Assistant General Secretary, Association of University Teachers;

Dr Bill Stewart, Chair of Education Committee, Association of University Teachers (Scotland);

Dr Tony Axon, Research Officer, Association of University Teachers (Scotland);

on its Scottish Solutions Inquiry. The Committee agreed to request additional information from the AUT(S) on:

the cost of its proposals on support for part-time students; and

its view of a suitable comparator or comparators for the quality of higher education in England and Scotland.

The Committee also took evidence from:

Professor William S Stevely, Convener, Universities Scotland and Principal and Vice-Chancellor, The Robert Gordon University;

Professor Joan Stringer CBE, Convener of the Learning and Teaching Committee, Universities Scotland and Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Napier University;

David Caldwell, Director, Universities Scotland.

on its Scottish Solutions inquiry. Universities Scotland agreed to provide the Committee with a copy of research into comparative funding in England and Scotland.

3. Budget Process (in private): The Committee considered the selection of an adviser on the budget scrutiny process. The Committee agreed to request further information on potential advisers and to return to the issue at a future meeting.

The meeting closed at 4.08 pm.

 

Judith Evans

Clerk to the Committee (Acting)