Higher education gets �20m boost

The Scottish Government said the funding would boost campus facilities

Scottish universities and colleges have been given speeded up funding of more than £20m to pay for improved buildings and facilities.

The Holyrood government said the move would give students the skills to make it in tough economic times.

The accelerated capital spend will amount to £7.5m in 2008-09 and £13m in 2009-10, ministers said.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said higher education had a crucial role to play in beating the credit crunch.

She said the action formed part of the Scottish Government's economic recovery plan and would support jobs in key sectors, including construction and engineering.

New projects

"We recognise the challenges faced by individuals, institutions and employers during these tough economic times and we are determined to do what we can to ease some of the pressures placed upon them," she said.

"Scotland's universities and colleges have a key role to play in helping Scotland recover from the current economic downturn.

"As well as helping individuals develop their skills and providing support with re-training, they are also an excellent source of expertise from which our businesses and local and national economies can benefit."

A total of four college construction projects worth £185m are under way at Anniesland, Borders, Langside and Motherwell.

A further four at Coatbridge, Dundee, Forth Valley and the Glasgow Marine Skills Centre will start later in 2009.