This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Agricultural College
16/09/2003
Ross Finnie, Minister for Environment and Rural
Development, today commented on proposals that would see
the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) continuing the
provision of education acrossScotland.
Mr Finnie said:
"I am encouraged that SAC have listened to my and
others' concerns about their original proposals.
"These proposals mark a significant improvement
on earlier plans.
"I am particularly encouraged by their revised
proposals for education. These make clear that they intend
to place much greater emphasis on sub-degree education
being delivered in partnership with others on a more
dispersed basis in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire and other parts
ofScotland.
"We are clear that viable educational provision must
outweigh commitments to property - SAC's first priority
must be to its students wherever they are inScotland.
"As a result of the revised proposals, the number of
students to be accommodated inEdinburghis now likely to be less than half of their full-time
student complement. These changes go a long way to
addressing concerns about access to education provision in
Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.
"I would stress the importance of SAC reaching
agreement with prospective partners for the future
delivery of education. I would also expect them to work
closely with local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise
network and other organisations to find alternative
uses for the Auchincruive and Craibstone
campuses.
"I also note the fact that SAC have reduced their
capital investment requirements and revised their financial
projections. This means that they can now fund
their revised proposals from within available
resources.
"Having given very careful consideration to SAC's
response it is apparent that the College have listened
to the concerns registered by me and others and I feel
that the direction of travel that the College is taking
now is the right one.
"I am content that SAC should now press on with
their intention to undertake more detailed business
planning and I look forward to receiving their business
plans in due course."
* Following a number of concerns about their
original proposals the Minister asked SAC in March this
year to carry out further work
* SAC submitted their response in July based on
further work undertaken by consultants Deloitte &
Touche.
* The Minister has given the revised proposals
careful consideration and believes that the direction
of travel that the College is taking now is the right
one.
* He sees the forging of effective partnerships by
SAC as an important aspect of their future.