Principal of Aberdeen Uni signs open letter urging the UK to remain in the EU
The Principal of Aberdeen University has signed an open letter calling for the UK to remain within the EU.
The Principal of Aberdeen University has signed an open letter calling for the UK to remain within the EU.
103 university leaders, along with Professor Sir Ian Diamond, signed the letter which was published in The Sunday Times. It highlights how the UK's membership of the European Union "enhances the positive impact of universities on our economy, driving growth, generating jobs and ultimately improving people’s lives".
It also says that leaving the EU "would mean cutting ourselves off from unique support and established networks and would undermine the UK’s position as a global leader in science, arts and innovation.’
Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen said: “Much of the very best research is done by teams working together across borders. Facilitated and incentivised by the EU, UK and European researchers pool their knowledge, infrastructure and resources to achieve more together than they could do alone. UK universities’ global success depends on sharing knowledge within the EU, as well as internationally.
“From a funding point of view, going alone is a leap into the dark. We have no idea whether, and on what terms, the UK could negotiate access to EU research programmes outside the EU. Even if the UK could negotiate some access, we would move from playing an influential, leadership role in European science and research to having no influence and being constrained by rules and regulations over which we have had no say.
“We should be proud of our influence in Europe, and continue to work with partners internationally to ensure that EU policy does not constrain but enhances UK, and European, science.”