Date: 05 June 2009 BROCKLEBANK WELCOMES NEWS THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS HAS LOWEST RATE OF STUDENT DROP-OUTS IN SCOTLAND Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that the University of St Andrews has one of the lowest student drop-out rates of any university across the United Kingdom. This caps a very successful week for St Andrews having achieved fourth place in ‘The Times Good University Guide 2010’ league table of the UK’s top universities.
Ted Brocklebank, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the University of St Andrews on its success. Commenting, Ted said;
“St Andrews must be commended for achieving one of the lowest student drop-out rates in the UK. Only 2.1 per cent of students fail to continue their studies, which is the best in Scotland and far below the UK national average of 9 per cent.
“This news comes in an excellent week for the university where it has not only proven it is the premier university in Scotland but also that it is the UK's fourth best. Over the last few years St Andrews has continued to climb in both Scottish and national league tables.
“Under the leadership of the internationally recognised academic, the new Principal Dr Louse Richardson, I am sure that St Andrews University will go from strength to strength. I pay tribute to all staff and students for their dedication and hard work in securing this great achievement.
“There are real concerns in the higher education sector that Scottish institutions are falling behind their English counterparts in terms of funding. That is why we will continue to press the Scottish Government to ensure that St Andrews will not be adversely affected by international competition, particularly for high-quality staff, in the current economic climate.”
Text of Ted’s motion;
Congratulations to the University of St Andrews
That the Parliament congratulates the University of St Andrews on maintaining its position as the best university in Scotland, as shown in The Times Good University Guide 2010; notes that St Andrews has moved up from fifth to fourth best university in the United Kingdom and is the only Scottish university in the top 10; pays tribute to the academic staff at St Andrews for the high quality of their teaching, and looks forward to even greater success under the leadership of the newly-appointed Principal, Dr Louise Richardson.
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