Newly elected constituency MSPs Bill Kidd for Glasgow Anniesland and Sandra White for Glasgow Kelvin have expressed concerns over the impact of proposed cuts at Strathclyde University as students and lecturers rally on campus.
The University has put forward proposals for a phased withdrawal from a number of courses such as music, sociology, geography and community education.
The University’s School of Education, which is located in its Jordanhill Campus in Anniesland, will be particularly affected by the proposals prompting the Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd to express deep concern over the proposals to axe the University’s community education department, which has been graded as excellent in national reviews.
The MSPs sent a message of support to the demonstration taking place today.
Commenting Mr Kidd said:
‘Community workers and youth workers play an invaluable role in ensuring that everyone is given opportunity to realise their potential regardless of background and these proposed cuts will endanger this ethos’
‘The principals of Inclusiveness and diversity are what have made Scotland’s universities respected throughout the world and I am seriously concerned that if these proposals go through these principals will be damaged’
Sandra White MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, where the University’s main campus is said:
‘I have written to the Principal of Strathclyde University requesting a meeting as a matter of urgency. We need to ensure that while the university emphasises it’s specialities it retains a broad range of subjects and that it caters for all. I hope that we can work constructively with the University to make them aware of this’