Maggie Chapman elected rector of Dundee University

Maggie Chapman, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Greens, has been elected as the new rector of Dundee University. She will begin her term on August 1. This election takes place during difficult times for the university, which faces a £35 million funding shortfall and plans to cut over 600 staff. Chapman previously served as the rector at the University of Aberdeen and aims to represent student interests on the university court. In this role, she plans to ask difficult questions about the university's governance and management. A total of 1,309 votes were cast by students in the elections, with Chapman securing a strong victory. The current rector, Keith Harris, will continue in his position until Chapman takes over. In her victory speech, Chapman expressed her gratitude to those who supported her campaign. She emphasized the need for changes in how the university is run and called for better inclusion of student and staff voices in discussions. Recently, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) approved a £22 million support package for Dundee University. Officials warned that without this funding, the university could face insolvency by the end of June. The support from the SFC includes low-cost loans and capital grants to help stabilize the financial situation.