Coronavirus in Moray and Aberdeenshire: Fears for Scotland's universities
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The Scottish Government has announced a £75million grant to protect university research programmes against the financial impact of coronavirus.
The new funding will replace lost income, protect jobs and help universities focus on research needed to fight the outbreak and to support society and the economy, post COVID-19.
Moray's MP Richard Lochhead, who is Minister for Further Education, has now written to his UK Government counterpart, calling for a UK-wide investment and support package for higher education.
Scotland's universities have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Most notably there has been a loss of international student income, cancelled conference bookings, and returned accommodation fees.
Recent research by the Scottish Funding Council indicated they face a loss of around £72million this academic year alone, with a collective operating deficit of between £384million and £651million forecast for next academic year.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "Our world-renowned university research activities are under threat from COVID-19.
"We are investing now to protect our research sector’s excellence, with £75 million of additional funding, as we plan together for the future sustainability of Scotland’s society and economy as a whole.
"We are taking a partnership approach, talking to the universities and staff unions, as we build up our response.
"For the universities' part, they are stepping up with a willingness to use part of this investment to support PhD students whose studies have been impacted by COVID-19.
"Now we need the UK Government to join those efforts. So far, their main interventions have been focused on the higher education sector south of the border.
"We need the UK Government to take a UK approach and join with Scottish universities and the Scottish Government to build a support package that will protect the sector from the impact of this virus."
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