苏格兰最大的现代大学成立

The University of Paisley and Bell College merged today (1 August 2007), creating Scotland’s largest modern University.

This four-campus regional University, which is unique due to its geographical spread, has over 18,000 students, with campuses in Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley. It also has the country’s largest School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, with 5,000 students.

The merger has created a bigger, more sustainable institution that is ideally placed to meet the challenges of the competitive Higher Education sector. The University has a planned investment programme of over £160million, which will result in major benefits for all of its campuses and ensure the future success and stability of the institution.

If Scotland is to meet the challenges posed by an increasingly ageing population it needs to offer opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds to help them realise their full potential. Giving as many people as possible the chance of gaining a university degree is one of the new institution’s key priorities.

The increased size and reach of the University will open up higher education opportunities for many more thousands of people across the West of Scotland. This includes greater lifelong learning opportunities at degree and postgraduate level across the region. This commitment to lifelong learning coupled with the fact that the merged University provides local access for over 40% of Scotland’s population, makes it ideally placed to respond to the demographic challenges currently facing the nation.

The merger is great news for Lanarkshire as it brings a University to Lanarkshire with degree awarding powers, which will lead to the extension of current full- and part-time degree and postgraduate courses in Hamilton over the coming years.

Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the merged institution, said: "The merger is great news, not just for both institutions, but for Scotland as a whole.

“We will continue to work with communities and stakeholders across the West of Scotland to deliver internationally informed higher education.

“We aim to have a transformational influence on the economic, social and cultural development of the West of Scotland through the provision of high-quality, inclusive higher education and innovative applied research.

“The creation of this new, unique regional University is testament to the hard work and support of staff across our four campuses.

“We are committed to making a significant and lasting contribution to Scottish Higher Education.”

Professor Alex MacLennan, Vice Principal of the merged institution and former Principal of Bell College, said: "It’s a very exciting time for the community we serve in Lanarkshire, who now have their own local University.

"Having a university presence in Lanarkshire is hugely important for the area and the merged University will open up higher education opportunities for many more thousands of people across the West of Scotland.”

The cost of merger, which includes significant support from Scottish Funding Council, is £21.2M over the next three years.