It's far too easy to run us, and those institutions, down without recognising what we and they achieved and continue to achieve.
I am proud to say that I was educated at Paisley, where I secured my degree in biology, and at Glasgow, where I secured my diploma.
The institutions have a good reputation for their partnerships with industry and for improving the life opportunities of thousands of people of all ages and from a wide diversity of backgrounds.
In fact I would argue that Paisley and Glasgow Colleges gave a bigger lift or added value to their students than those institutions that Mr Kerr thinks are only worthy of any consideration.
Now I'm not seeking a battle with the ancients. I have worked closely with academics and management from their science departments and have the greatest respect and admiration for their achievements. It's people like David Kerr that give the ancients a bad reputation. All I'm asking is for a bit of mutual respect.
I'm also a graduate of Paisley. I'm afraid that I find this faux fury from the SNP opposition a wee bit childish. Banter between Universities has existed since just about the day the 2nd university was instituted. To suggest that these comments by David Kerr as an after-dinner speaker at his alma-mater aimed at entertaining a group of current students are anything other than light hearted banter is to belittle us all.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly more than confident in my abilities to deal with students from St Andrews, or Oxford & Cambridge for that matter, on an even footing.
I thought Kerr's comments on John Knox were pig ignorant. As a nation it's time we rediscovered Knox and rescued him from caricature that is so far removed from the man himself. Read up about Knox - he was a true Scottish hero.
ReplyDeleteJim
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm not as tolerant as you. If this was simply inter-institution banter why didn't he choose Glasgow or Edinburgh Universities? David Kerr has reflected a thread of academic snobbery that exists in Scotland that has a damaging effect on certain institutions. Employers listen and reflect on such remarks.
I can stand up for myself against students/graduates from St. Andrews etc - which is what I'm doing now - but to pick on Paisley and Glasgow Colleges is not funny it's just sad.
Willie
Willie
ReplyDeleteI doubt very much that you could come up with any example of how this type of banter has any detrimental effect on any University anywhere and yet it exists everywhere - only in Scotland apparently does it cause us to reach for the tissues.
Are we really such sensitive souls up here?
Whilst I agree that Universities have to stand or fall by their reputations, I'd gladly introduce you to several Paisley graduates who would be laughing this off and right into the pool of their large houses from Seattle to Auckland, Dubai and beyond, all achieved through hard graft after graduating from 'the Tech' - I've even heard of one that has made it all the way to Edinburgh for work despite his sensitivities ;-)
Jim
I am an undergraduate of a traditional university (not St Andrews, as a working class Glaswegian I never felt the need) and a postgraduate of Paisley and Edinburgh. The real scandal is that there is a difference, so please don't patronise us with comments about improving life opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to patronise myself? I gained from my education at Paisley - it improved my life opportunities.
Having had experience of an old and new university can you tell me what you think the differences are?
Willie
Jim
ReplyDeleteSurely not to Edinburgh - brave! :)
More people should shout about their positive experience of Paisley. Do you think your friends in Auckland, Seattle and Dubai would?
Willie
Willie
ReplyDeleteMy friends in Auckland and Seattle would undoubtedly have succeeded in life with or without Paisley Tech, as it was then. But there's no doubt that access to Paisley was a real benefit for them given their respective backgrounds. (ie It gave them that lift that you've already mentioned)
There certainly seemed to be a well worn path for the boys from Oban High at least, and the Engineering department at the Tech for both Civil and Electronic Engineering had a very good name in those days. I believe the University made a big mistake in dropping it's Land economics courses, as many of those graduates have gone onto seriously successful careers all over the world (apart from my wife who has a seriously successful career in Glasgow with the added benefit of a lovely family though ;-) )
The mate in Dubai would almost certainly have failed at any of the old school Universities, but was nurtured through Paisley by tutors with the patience of Saints, who must be looking on in awe at the money this 'dunderheid' now earns and the lifestyle he enjoys.
In truth though, life is what you make of it and the success they've all earned is through their hard graft since leaving college. I believe Paisley allowed them to believe that with hard graft, they could compete with anyone, and without it, they could just as easily waste the opportunities they were given.
Jim
To be honest I always thought that he wasn't that great a news reporter anyhow. He always fumbled his words/lines esp when live on air and it looked like he did not know what to do with his hands when in front of the camera. I always felt nervous for him when he was doing a report. He has got a cheek to talk about reputations.
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