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Posted: Friday 3 February 2012

Talks begin on Glasgow Colleges Merger

The Boards of Management of Anniesland College and Cardonald College Glasgow have advised the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) that they have agreed to begin exploratory merger discussions. In a letter sent to the SFC, the colleges expressed the aim of achieving a full merger, subject to satisfactory due diligence being completed for both colleges.

The colleges offer a complementary portfolio of courses, have worked together on many collaborative projects in recent years and have established a good working relationship. Both colleges are now giving full consideration to students and staff in exploring how this can potentially be built upon for the future.

Commenting, Anniesland Principal, Linda McTavish, says: “This is a major period of change for the college sector in Scotland. Anniesland and Cardonald have developed a wide range of services and learning opportunities which meet the needs of learners and businesses, both large and small.  We have been in joint projects that have resulted in positive outcomes.  Both colleges will now proceed with further discussions to jointly plan the future for staff, learners and the communities we serve”.

Cardonald College Glasgow Principal and Chief Executive, Susan Walsh, comments: “The decision by both Boards of Management to open merger discussions between Cardonald and Anniesland Colleges is very welcome.  As individual colleges both have strong traditions of supporting lifelong learning in communities and working to support Glasgow’s people into jobs through high quality training and education.  The potential for one college harnessing the strengths of both will bring even greater opportunities for Glasgow’s learners.  We look forward to engaging with our learners, staff and Trades Union colleagues to help move forward this hugely important work”.

Chairman of the Board of Management of Cardonald, Bruce Durning, points out the value of a merger to students: “Anniesland and Cardonald Colleges have a history of working together, the curriculums complement rather than compete, which will bring added value to the combined course portfolio”.

Anniesland Chairman, Ken McAldowie, agrees: "Both colleges are keen to move forward together to provide the developments required for learners in the future, highlighting the drive for transformational change."

 

Tags: Anniesland College, Cardonald College, Scottish Funding Council

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