The University

The context in which modern universities operate has changed in recent years. Students, employers and professional bodies have increasingly high expectations of what universities should deliver, and how we should deliver it:

• The Scottish Executive encourages us to help grow the economy and work more effectively with industry by applying our knowledge internationally as well as at home.
  
  
• Industry and public service are keen for us to produce graduates with the problem-solving, vocational and professional skills to make them effective, innovative individuals with enough confidence to use their own initiative in tackling difficult issues.
  
  
• The public and the Scottish Executive want universities to help to solve some of the more difficult social and economic problems that face the nation, while continuing to promote access to higher education.

It’s unlikely that growth in public funding for universities will be sufficient for us to meet these demands. We must, therefore, find ways to deliver our educational mission from a sustainable position of financial strength, through securing new income streams whilst holding true to our values and principles. We must look outwards, focus on our strengths and turn these demands into opportunities.