Abu-Hafiza
09-29-2007, 05:36 AM
This guy is getting very popular here in UK with all his contraversies :)
University? More like a poly - says its own rector
FERGUS SHEPPARD
DUNDEE University was last night locked in a bizarre stand-off with its own rector after he used his first speech to students to accuse the institution of authoritarianism, comparing it to an "English polytechnic".
Craig Murray, Britain's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, was elected by students as rector in February this year, succeeding the TV presenter3 Lorraine Kelly.
But the controversial diplomat - who was forced out of his post three years ago after claiming the United States and Britain were involved in torture in Uzbekistan - has already fallen out with college heads following his maiden speech to students.
The 48-year-old claimed he had asked twice for information about cuts in academic provision which he said the university had blamed on "higher-than- expected pay awards, an unexpected increase in the cost of energy and increased building costs through a higher cost of steel."
He said he asked for a cost breakdown at two successive university court meetings this year, but received no answers. Mr Murray also claimed the fact he had asked the question did not appear in the minutes.
"Dissent is deemed not to happen," the rector told students.
Mr Murray went on: "Scottish universities are traditionally democratic self-governing communities, and the election of the rector is a vital reminder of this ... my view is that the governance of this institution in recent years has been more akin to an old English polytechnic than a Scottish university."
Mr Murray, who will serve as rector for three years, even accused the university of attempting to influence the election for rector against him, in favour of Andy Nicol, a former Scotland rugby captain.
He claimed former rectors Ms Kelly and the comedian Fred Macaulay chose to back Nicol "not without some encouragement from within the university hierarchy".
The rector made his address after the traditional trip through the streets of the town in a carriage pulled by students.
Mr Murray, himself a Dundee University graduate, went on to argue in favour of a liberal education and against what he claimed was an increasing concentration on vocational qualifications.
He said: "Universities - including this one - have been much afflicted by a cult of right-wing managerialism, exemplified in the view that businessmen are the only people whose expertise is useful and transferable."
Mr Murray, who lives in London, was yesterday supplying copies of his speech to journalists, claiming the press office at Dundee University had refused to provide it, place it in the library or put it online.
He said: "I'm sure the university would love to get rid of me but I am here to stay."
A university spokesman said: "The speech isn't factually correct and it does not represent the views of the university."
The official said the university's press office had not released copies of previous rectors' speeches and only a portion of Ms Kelly's had appeared on the university website, adding that any speech would only be kept in the library if it was published.
The position of rector in Scottish universities is steeped in tradition, dating back to papal edicts of the 15th century. The rector is chosen by the students and the holder is not part of the university's administration.
The rector has a seat on the university court - its board of governors - and can vote on issues such as its budget and annual accounts. The holder of the post is also there to provide a voice for the students, although other student representatives also have a seat on court.
Celebrities or high-profile people with no previous ties to universities are often elected. Mordechai Vanunu, jailed for 18 years for leaking Israel's nuclear secrets, is the rector of Glasgow University. However, he cannot attend court meetings as he is forbidden from leaving Israel.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1557562007
University? More like a poly - says its own rector
FERGUS SHEPPARD
DUNDEE University was last night locked in a bizarre stand-off with its own rector after he used his first speech to students to accuse the institution of authoritarianism, comparing it to an "English polytechnic".
Craig Murray, Britain's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, was elected by students as rector in February this year, succeeding the TV presenter3 Lorraine Kelly.
But the controversial diplomat - who was forced out of his post three years ago after claiming the United States and Britain were involved in torture in Uzbekistan - has already fallen out with college heads following his maiden speech to students.
The 48-year-old claimed he had asked twice for information about cuts in academic provision which he said the university had blamed on "higher-than- expected pay awards, an unexpected increase in the cost of energy and increased building costs through a higher cost of steel."
He said he asked for a cost breakdown at two successive university court meetings this year, but received no answers. Mr Murray also claimed the fact he had asked the question did not appear in the minutes.
"Dissent is deemed not to happen," the rector told students.
Mr Murray went on: "Scottish universities are traditionally democratic self-governing communities, and the election of the rector is a vital reminder of this ... my view is that the governance of this institution in recent years has been more akin to an old English polytechnic than a Scottish university."
Mr Murray, who will serve as rector for three years, even accused the university of attempting to influence the election for rector against him, in favour of Andy Nicol, a former Scotland rugby captain.
He claimed former rectors Ms Kelly and the comedian Fred Macaulay chose to back Nicol "not without some encouragement from within the university hierarchy".
The rector made his address after the traditional trip through the streets of the town in a carriage pulled by students.
Mr Murray, himself a Dundee University graduate, went on to argue in favour of a liberal education and against what he claimed was an increasing concentration on vocational qualifications.
He said: "Universities - including this one - have been much afflicted by a cult of right-wing managerialism, exemplified in the view that businessmen are the only people whose expertise is useful and transferable."
Mr Murray, who lives in London, was yesterday supplying copies of his speech to journalists, claiming the press office at Dundee University had refused to provide it, place it in the library or put it online.
He said: "I'm sure the university would love to get rid of me but I am here to stay."
A university spokesman said: "The speech isn't factually correct and it does not represent the views of the university."
The official said the university's press office had not released copies of previous rectors' speeches and only a portion of Ms Kelly's had appeared on the university website, adding that any speech would only be kept in the library if it was published.
The position of rector in Scottish universities is steeped in tradition, dating back to papal edicts of the 15th century. The rector is chosen by the students and the holder is not part of the university's administration.
The rector has a seat on the university court - its board of governors - and can vote on issues such as its budget and annual accounts. The holder of the post is also there to provide a voice for the students, although other student representatives also have a seat on court.
Celebrities or high-profile people with no previous ties to universities are often elected. Mordechai Vanunu, jailed for 18 years for leaking Israel's nuclear secrets, is the rector of Glasgow University. However, he cannot attend court meetings as he is forbidden from leaving Israel.
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1557562007