A vital debate for tertiary education sector

The Herald Scotland

5 days ago

Together we were all united by a shared commitment: ensuring that Scotland's system of tertiary education is not only sustainable, but truly serves the needs of all learners and ultimately, the success of the nation.
Government, our funding agency and the university and college sectors often refer to the importance of being "learner-centred". And while as CEO of Scotland's largest college I am of course going to say our institutions are learner-centred, I can't say the same for the current funding and policy environment.
While there has been acknowledgement that elements of the current funding system might not be fit for purpose, there doesn't seem to be an appetite for change – why? I believe it's over fears that it would destabilise institutions and the sector. My challenge back is that if we do nothing, perpetuate the status quo, the destabilising impacts could be way worse.
We know that something needs to change, as if it doesn't then we're facing a continued period of managed decline that won't provide the benefits that our leaners deserve, or that our economy requires.
And that's why the questions that were asked at this conference can't be seen in isolation. It's not enough to consider what a future funding system would need to look like for colleges and universities in Scotland for them to be sustainable. We need to answer the question that comes before that – what do we need and want from our colleges and universities going forward?
Whatever the answer to that is, it's clear that colleges have a vital role to play going forward. Voices from across the Scottish economy are talking about the importance of upskilling and reskilling our workforce to meet our future needs. All of that is music to my ears, yet we have a situation where we have reduced funding and we've been told we can expect that to continue for the medium to long term.
The debate is ultimately about our values – who gets to learn, who pays for it, and how we build a society that doesn't just survive but thrives. Colleges and universities are not simply institutions of learning; they are engines of opportunity, of social mobility, of innovation and growth. They equip individuals with the skills to thrive, but also enable communities and the country as a whole to flourish.
So what comes next? There's no silver bullet, but by provoking this discussion and putting a spotlight on it, I'm confident that we have started the process of coming up with a long-term solution that will see colleges and universities better placed to serve Scotland's needs for years to come.
Audrey Cumberford is the Principal and Chief Executive of Edinburgh College
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