Many of the recommendations in Jim Mather’s Working Together review are already standard practice within the sector. https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/alastair-sim-life-as-an-academic Please enable scripts and reload this page. The director of Universities Scotland is “extremely confident” that enough safety measures … It was beaten only by author and librarian, which led the report to suggest it was the thought of a “quiet intellectual life” that appealed to people. Alastair Sim took up office as the Director of Universities Scotland on 01 July 2009. The sector has taken action, such as in 2014-15, to “bottom-weight” the pay deal so that the hourly rate equivalent for someone on the lowest pay spine point and working 35 hours a week came into line with the living wage. Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions employ close to 40,000 people. Let’s work together to keep improving its satisfaction. The report also called for greater value to be placed on partnership between management and unions. M: 07445 653 603 kate@universities-scotland.ac.uk. However Alastair Sim, the director of Universities Scotland, warned that the number of Indian and Nigerian students had also fallen significantly. As a senior civil servant, Alastair developed new Scottish legislation on protection of the natural environment and on constitutional reform and was most latterly Director of Policy and Strategy at the Scottish Courts before joining Universities Scotland. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. A commitment has already been made that the new rate of living wage for 2015-16, announced last November, will be part of the discussions for the 2015-16 pay settlement. Cuts to ODA funding undermines UK’s “Global Britain” agenda, Universities Scotland response to SFC publication of additional and indicative funding allocations, UCAS data cause for assurance in value of Scottish higher education, Universities Scotland response to Scottish Government announcement of additional COVID funding. However, we have the mechanisms to address those issues and discuss our disagreements constructively with staff in an open and robust form whether that’s in the joint negotiating committees with unions, at senate meetings or at the very highest level in the governing body. Working Together also favoured industry-wide collective bargaining. Kate Grimes, PA to the Director. Universities Scotland is a Scottish charity, SC029163, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OCSR). Since 2009 he has navigated the Scottish HE sector through two Scottish elections, two general elections, a referendum on Scottish independence, several spending … Universities Scotland congratulates every Scottish MP, new and returned, and the SNP on achieving such a remarkable result. Universities and colleges preparing to reopen from September. Quiet is probably one of the last words that academics in our universities today would use to describe their job. Over the past year, staff and students at UK universities have played a vital role in fighting Covid-19 through research and supporting their local communities. Since 2009 he has navigated the Scottish HE sector through two Scottish elections, two general elections, a referendum on Scottish independence, several spending reviews and a funding gap. Universities Scotland develops policy on behalf of the university sector and campaigns publicly on higher education issues. assure you that universities in Scotland are committed to working with you to limit the spread of this virus and to help society manage and recover from it. Flexible contracts are in use where this makes sense for the employer and employee. Very best wishes, Professor Gerry McCormac Convener, Universities Scotland From: Alastair Sim Sent: 24 September 2020 14:10 UNIVERSITIES are key to economic growth and a vital link in the development of firms internationally, says Alastair Sim By ALASTAIR SIM Wednesday, 11th September 2013, 1:00 am He wanted an increase in workplace democracy with worker membership on boards. We are together: students supporting the national effort against Covid-19. Alastair George Bell Sim, CBE was a Scottish character actor who began his theatrical career at the age of thirty and quickly became established as a popular West End performer, remaining so until his death in 1976. Universities Scotland was formed in 1992 as the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals adopting its current name in 2000, when Universities UK was also formed. Two years after the publication of the #ClosingTheGap report, Amatey Doku looks at progress that has been made to close UK universities’ ethnicity degree awarding gaps and what more must be done. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. As a senior civil servant, Alastair developed new Scottish legislation on protection of the natural environment and on constitutional reform and was most latterly Director of Policy and Strategy at the Scottish Courts before joining Universities Scotland. There has been a lot of focus in recent months on the fair work agenda in Scotland with the creation of a Cabinet secretary for fair work, skills and training and the publication of the Working Together report on workplace relations. Again, this is well-established with joint negotiating committees between university management and unions representing 27 per cent of university staff. He said: “If there were a political … University management has also agreed on joint work with the unions to define the appropriate use of flexible contracts. Sonya Johnston, Head of Operational Services. The seventh of May was an extraordinary night. This is the case for every university as academic and non-academic staff sit on the governing body, elected by their peers. He was educated at George Heriot's School, and in 1925 became an elocution and drama lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. It represents 16 Universities and three other higher education institutions in Scotland. 1001127, A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales Company No. Alastair Sim: Higher education must remain central. We are confident that close to 100 per cent of staff working across the university sector, covered by collective pay arrangements and working a 35-hour week, is at or above the living wage. Universities Scotland is the representative body of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, 19 world-class and highly diverse higher education institutions, The latest comment & opinion from Scottish HE. Alastair Sim, of Universities Scotland, says it is the ‘right thing to do’. ​Alastair Sim has been Director of Universities Scotland since July 2009, joining from the Scottish Civil Service. View Alastair Sim’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. Currently, I am the executive head of the representative organisation for Scotland's universities. Get the latest news on the Coronavirus We have launched a daily public interest bulletin to deliver all the updates and vital information to your inbox. Whether working in an academic, professional or support role university staff face the same high expectations, pressures and demanding schedule as most other professions. Scotland’s higher education sector already has it right on democratic approach to management/union relations, writes Alastair Sim. Alastair Sim was born in Edinburgh, the son of a wealthy businessman with property interests in Edinburgh and Braemar. We are also considering what further, sustainable, action we might be able to take. Among other roles he served as Private Secretary to Ministers in the Commons and the Lords. Here, three students from across the UK share their stories. 'World-class reputation' Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s new Inward Investment Plan. Universities Scotland is the representative body of Scotland's 19 higher education institutions. A Conservative majority in Westminster and a landslide victory of 56 SNP MPs means the next five years promises to be anything but dull. For a sector that exists to encourage freedom of thought and critical thinking it is no surprise that staff take different views to that of management on some issues. It’s not an easy role. Alastair Sim, Director, Universities Scotland Dr Vicky Johnson, Director, Centre for Remote and Sustainable Communities, University of the Highlands and Islands Professor James Conroy, Dean for Global Engagement (Europe) and Vice Principal Ermeritus, University of Glasgow Alastair Sim, Universities Scotland director, said universities are making the move because it is “the right thing to do”. The Director has chief executive responsibility for the management of the organisation. “It’s an extraordinary situation,” said Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland. Higher education institutions are well-placed when it comes to this agenda, if not ahead of many sections of our economy, and that is probably no small contributing factor to high levels of staff satisfaction. M: … What’s in the manifestos for higher education? I was surprised to read the results of a YouGov poll last month that found more people across Britain wanted to be a university academic than a TV presenter, interior designer or Hollywood star. What progress have we made since the launch of #ClosingTheGap? The second most powerful body within a university is that of the academic board or senate which regulates teaching and research matters. Student shifts at ad hoc university events or guest lecturers from business and industry coming to share their practical experience as part of the teaching programme would be examples of where these kind of contracts serve a purpose. 2517018 Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ Alastair has had two thrillers published: Rosslyn Blood (2004) and The Unbelievers (2009). Starting in 1935, he also appeared in more than fifty British films, including an iconic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol, released in 1951 as Scrooge in Great Britain and as A … Alastair Sim, of Universities Scotland, says one option would be for the British government after Brexit to choose to pay in to EU-wide funding pots. Alastair Sim has been Director of Universities Scotland since July 2009, joining from the Scottish Civil Service. Universities UK registered Charity No. Every UK university is involved in annual collective pay bargaining which last year saw staff awarded a 2 per cent rise. He said: “Universities have planned their move to set minimum entry requirements very carefully based on judgements about the course content and what it takes to graduate. Universities UK registered Charity No. Working as an academic is a popular and challenging choice of career. Director, Universities Scotland. 2517018, Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ, Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information for universities. He resumed his link with the university when he was appointed Rector from 1948 to 1951. Alastair Sim, Universities Scotland director, said universities are making the move because it is “the right thing to do”. 1001127 A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales Company No. As of 2012, this post is held by Prof Pete Downes, principal of the University of Dundee. The study highlights the role EU citizens and funding play in Scotland's colleges and universities. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Alastair Sim (Director, Universities Scotland) Carol Turnbull (Principal, Ayrshire College) Simon Hewitt (Principal, Dundee and Angus College) Sir Paul Grice (Chair of Learning and Teaching Committee, Universities Scotland) Lauren McNamara (Director of Strategy and Innovation, SAAS) Karen Watt (Chief Executive, SFC) Universities – and so their staff – face a demanding set of expectations from students (fee-paying or not), from businesses, their communities, government, charity and other investors. Alastair Sim Director, Universities Scotland [redacted] alastair@universities-scotland.ac.uk From: [redacted]> On Behalf Of firstminister@gov.scot Sent: 24 September 2020 17:32 To: Alastair Sim Cc: DFMCSE@gov.scot; firstminister@gov.scot; [redacted] Subject: Phone call with University Principals and the First Minister Alastair Sim, Director. Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: "Universities are looking forward to welcoming students at the beginning of the academic year … For enquiries, please contact Alastair’s PA on: 0131 225 0708 or kate@universities-scotland.ac.uk. Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, appeared to blame some students for spreading the virus, suggesting they “didn’t quite get it” when they arrived at university this term. Inevitably within a workforce of that scale there are issues of contention and dissatisfaction. This being the case, it’s probably more surprising that satisfaction levels are so high among university employees. More than 80 per cent of staff polled last year said their job was a source of satisfaction and close to three-quarters said they found it rewarding. The Convener serves a two-year term of office. He holds degrees from Oxford, Delaware and Glasgow universities. Alastair Sim, Director, Universities Scotland. The Director has chief executive responsibility for the management of the organisation. This piece originally appeared in The Scotsman on Wednesday 25 March 2015 titled ‘Academic work more than satisfactory’. The role of academic was the third most popular out of 31 occupations. Director of Universities Scotland Alastair Sim admitted that neither the UK Government or the Scottish Government had enough testing available to provide enhanced testing to universities. The director of … But no university in Scotland makes use of exploitative contracts which keep people “on call” for speculative work or apply exclusivity clauses so staff are unable to take employment elsewhere. 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