Greens MSP Chapman to be new Dundee Uni rector

Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman has been elected to be the next rector of Dundee University.

It comes amid fears about the future of the institution, with more than 600 staff to be cut to fill a £35m shortfall in funding.

Chapman, who will take up the role representing students on the university court in August, said she would be asking challenging and uncomfortable questions about how things are run.

The North East MSP previously had two terms as rector of the University of Aberdeen.

In a vote, Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA) vice president of academia, Mubarak Babalola, was second and Sheli McCoy - Sabre in TV show Gladiators - was third.

A total of 1,309 votes were cast by students.

The rector is a senior officer of the university elected by students to represent their interests in partnership with DUSA.

Chapman will formally take up the position 1 August.

The current rector, Keith Harris, remains in position until that time.

Chapman said, "It is a huge honour to be elected to this role, and I thank each and every person who voted for me, and all those who campaigned for me over this last week."

She added: "Now is the time for a change in the way the university approaches both its governance and management.

"We must shine a light on university governance and decision-making, ask challenging and maybe sometimes uncomfortable questions, and ensure we bring the voices of students and the staff who support their education, into every conversation we have."

Earlier this week, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) approved a £22m support package for the university.

A senior university figure had told MSPs that insolvency was a "real possibility".

Acting chair of court Tricia Bey said without financial support from the SFC the university would run out of money by the end of June.

The SFC - which is an arms-length public body of the Scottish government - said its package would be a mix of low-cost loans and capital grant.