Jenny Marra MSP
Scottish Labour Welcomes End of Dundee-Abertay Merger Plan
17 November 2011
Commenting on the news that Dundee and Abertay Universities have today ruled out merging together, Jenny Marra Scottish Labour MSP for North East Scotland, who led the campaign against the merger proposals said:
"Students and staff at both institutions will be delighted that the merger proposals have been scrapped and both universities will retain their independence.
"This proposed shotgun marriage dreamt up by Mike Russell, the Cabinet Secretary for Education clearly demonstrated how out of touch he is with local feeling in Dundee on this matter.
"At the public meeting I addressed it was clear that the only people in favour of this half baked plan were the SNP.
"Mike Russell talks up the autonomy of academic institutions when it comes to making cuts, but he is happy to make direct intervention in their governance and issues like merger which should be driven by academic imperatives."
Iain Gray MSP, Scottish Labour leader commented : " Everyone knew that Mike Russell was trying to force Abertay to merge with Dundee University.
"Scottish Labour initially raised this matter at First Minister’s Questions and forced Alex Salmond to give the assurance that it would not be forced through but would be up to the two universities to decide.
"They have now held talks and agreed that they do not want to merge.
"Mike Russell must now complete his U turn by indicating that he accepts this decision and will no longer be insisting on merger plans that no-one supports."
Scottish Labour Welcomes End of Dundee-Abertay Merger Plan
17 November 2011
Commenting on the news that Dundee and Abertay Universities have today ruled out merging together, Jenny Marra Scottish Labour MSP for North East Scotland, who led the campaign against the merger proposals said:
"Students and staff at both institutions will be delighted that the merger proposals have been scrapped and both universities will retain their independence.
"This proposed shotgun marriage dreamt up by Mike Russell, the Cabinet Secretary for Education clearly demonstrated how out of touch he is with local feeling in Dundee on this matter.
"At the public meeting I addressed it was clear that the only people in favour of this half baked plan were the SNP.
"Mike Russell talks up the autonomy of academic institutions when it comes to making cuts, but he is happy to make direct intervention in their governance and issues like merger which should be driven by academic imperatives."
Iain Gray MSP, Scottish Labour leader commented : " Everyone knew that Mike Russell was trying to force Abertay to merge with Dundee University.
"Scottish Labour initially raised this matter at First Minister’s Questions and forced Alex Salmond to give the assurance that it would not be forced through but would be up to the two universities to decide.
"They have now held talks and agreed that they do not want to merge.
"Mike Russell must now complete his U turn by indicating that he accepts this decision and will no longer be insisting on merger plans that no-one supports."
