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Higher Education
and the Scottish Economy - some further reflections
Earlier this year the David Hume Institute organised a seminar
on this topic at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, sponsored by our friends at
the Economic and Social Research Council. The two key speakers were Professor
Bernard King, the Principal of Abertay University, and Diane Coyle, the well
known economist and former economics editor of the Independent. The chair for
the evening was Chris Masters, former Chair of the Scottish Higher Education
Funding Council - during part of his term of office I was his Vice Chair.
The seminar was first rate, as was the post seminar discussion during our reception. At the dinner I invited those present to prepare papers on this important topic, to draw their valued ideas out further and preserve them for posterity. I am delighted that Bernard, Chris and Diane have all responded to this plea, as has Professor Jane Bower of Dundee University.
I have also placed on the website an article that I wrote for my Herald column following that seminar, in which I reflect further on the ideas that emerged. This is all very much work in progress. Your reaction to the papers and your ideas on this key theme would be much appreciated. In my view this period of minority government provides an ideal time to develop new thinking about how the prospects for the Scottish economy can be enhanced. Please send your thoughts to the David Hume Institute at hume.institute@ed.ac.uk and these will be used to further fuel the debate and help to develop policy propositions for our new Scottish administration.
Jeremy A Peat, Director The David Hume Institute June 2007.
Presidential Address 2007 - some further reflections