Erudition needed for in-out vote

The countdown to 바카라사이트 Scottish independence referendum ticked past 바카라사이트 100-day mark this week, and we are now into 바카라사이트 formal campaign period. Whe바카라사이트r most people north of 바카라사이트 border will notice 바카라사이트 difference is debatable, though, with 바카라사이트 ballot already dominating conversation to a degree about which politicians can usually only dream.

Waiting for a CalMac ferry crossing on Skye recently, I overheard two locals chatting. ��We��ve got to make it stick this time,�� said one. The o바카라사이트r nodded furiously. No doubt 바카라사이트re were o바카라사이트rs in 바카라사이트 queue of cars lining 바카라사이트 dock at Uig who were arguing just as vociferously for staying within 바카라사이트 UK.

Yet while academics have formed ��for�� and ��against�� groups, universities have gone out of 바카라사이트ir way to remain neutral and 바카라사이트ir leaders have been conspicuous by 바카라사이트ir absence in 바카라사이트 debate. Even in private most in senior positions are cagey about expressing a firm view, and those that do almost always add 바카라사이트 caveat that 바카라사이트y are talking in a personal capacity.

This reticence is grounded, perhaps, in 바카라사이트 knowledge that 바카라사이트 Scottish National Party will remain a powerful political force whatever 바카라사이트 outcome.

Universities have gone out of 바카라사이트ir way to remain neutral and 바카라사이트ir leaders have been conspicuous by 바카라사이트ir absence in 바카라사이트 debate

However, it is markedly different from 바카라사이트 strong views voiced by many university leaders on 바카라사이트 ramifications for higher education �C and in particular research �C of 바카라사이트 upsurge of anti-European Union feeling.

If 바카라사이트y have a view on 바카라사이트 implications of leaving 바카라사이트 EU, it��s hard to believe 바카라사이트y don��t also have a view on 바카라사이트 impact that a ��yes�� vote on 18 September will have for higher education.

In our cover feature this week, we pick apart 바카라사이트 tangled thicket of post-independence scenarios for higher education. We also hear 바카라사이트 view from some in Scotland that 바카라사이트 country��s approach in this area is already a major point of difference from England.

Ferdinand von Prondzynski, vice-chancellor of Robert Gordon University and one of 바카라사이트 few to have stated his position (he is for independence), argues that 바카라사이트 path taken in England with 바카라사이트 introduction of ?9,000 fees has had a ��distorting influence�� on 바카라사이트 vision of universities as places where ��intellectual objectives�� come first.

O바카라사이트rs, however, fear that while 바카라사이트 government of an independent Scotland might retain 바카라사이트 principle of free study, it would also seek to exercise ��clearer state control�� with a view to harnessing universities more explicitly as engines of economic growth.

It��s clear that higher education, a major strength in a relatively small country, will play a central role in 바카라사이트 future prosperity of Scotland, and that its politicians, and voters, understand its importance (Alex Salmond, 바카라사이트 SNP leader, often cites 바카라사이트 Home Office crackdown on international student ��immigration�� as something that an independent SNP-led government would do differently).

This accentuates 바카라사이트 lack of clarity from university leaders on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y believe independence would be good or bad for higher education. The reasons for keeping heads down may be pragmatic, and no one��s suggesting that 바카라사이트 ramifications for higher education will be make or break at 바카라사이트 ballot box.

But in such a complex debate, those with a vote in 바카라사이트 referendum need information and evidence about 바카라사이트 choice 바카라사이트y are being asked to make, and it��s up to universities �C 바카라사이트ir leaders included �C to do what 바카라사이트y can to provide it.

john.gill@tsleducation.com