ECU to support the Scottish higher education sector

Equality Challenge Unit, the higher education equality body for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, announced today (1 September 2010) that the organisation will be formally extending its work to promote equality and diversity in the Scottish higher education sector.

The Scottish funding Council has confirmed additional funding for ECU to provide a central source of expertise, research, advice and leadership on equality and diversity for staff and students in Scottish higher education.

David Ruebain, chief executive of Equality Challenge Unit, said:

'We are delighted that the Scottish Funding Council has asked us to work with Scottish higher education institutions at a time when institutions are preparing for new equality legislation.

As from today, Scottish institutions will have full access to our advice and information service, publications and events. Our first event in Scotland will be a seminar to help ready the sector for the implementation of the Equality Act 2010.

The team look forward to working closely with Scottish colleagues and individual institutions on a wide range of projects and initiatives in continuing the work of developing a fair, inclusive, diverse and high quality sector for all staff and students, whatever their background.'

Mark Batho, chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:

'The Funding Council is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity practices within colleges and universities and I am very pleased to be able to provide funding for this important area.

One of the outcomes of our consultation on equality and diversity was the overwhelming support from universities for an advice and support service within Scotland, which I am delighted will be provided by Equality Challenge Unit.'

Notes:

• The SFC has agreed to provide funding of £200,000 per year for the next three years to ECU to establish an advice and support service for the Scottish higher education sector.

• The Equality Act 2010 seminar will take place on Tuesday 28 September 2010, at the University of Glasgow.