UCU welcomes appointment of Scotland's new education secretary

The union said Michael Russell should signal his intentions for the role by immediately announcing an independent review of higher education.

UCU President Lesley McIntosh said: 'UCU had a good working relationship with Fiona Hyslop and we are sorry that her experience of working in education for many years will be lost. We want Michael Russell to work with us to develop a higher education system which benefits all Scottish citizens, not one that acts purely as an economic driver. Universities should be the social and economic consciousness of Scotland and their contribution cannot just be measured by outputs or driven by targets.

'It is now time for an independent review of higher education as part of the national conversation to highlight the value of universities to a modern, healthy and prosperous Scotland. Our lobby tomorrow now takes on extra significance as the first education event after Michael Russell's appointment. We will use it to highlight the importance of universities and their staff.'