Maggie Chapman will be fierce advocate for students as Dundee Rector
Addressing staff and students at Dundee University today in her installation speech as Rector, Maggie Chapman promised to stand up for students and staff and put learning, justice and wellbeing at the heart of her work.
Maggie said:
“A Rector must be a fierce advocate for students, a defender of democratic governance, and a champion for meaningful change. Everyone in the university has a role to play and a voice to be heard, and good governance means ensuring all those roles and voices are acknowledged and included.
“I believe it is incumbent on me to resist the pressure to turn universities into commercial graduate factories and to challenge the use of international students merely as revenue streams. Education is not a commodity; it is a public good. And our decisions must have learning, justice, and the wellbeing of our world at their core.”
Turning to the crisis engulfing Dundee University, Maggie made clear her support for trade unions across campus.
Maggie added:
“Let me be very clear: the demands of our campus trade unions - for fair pay, safe workloads and protection from compulsory redundancies - are non-negotiable foundations of a healthy university.
“And they are student issues too, because staff working conditions are student learning conditions. When staff are undervalued, students lose opportunities; when staff are exhausted, students lose support.”
In closing Maggie pledged to stand with staff and students and to bring a sense of hope through her work.
Maggie finished:
“To staff, I say: I see you, and your fears, struggles, your expertise and commitment. You are the backbone of this institution, and your voice must guide its recovery.
“To students, I say: your education, your wellbeing, your future – these are at the heart of my role. You deserve rigorous representation, and I will work every day to ensure you have it.
“I bring to this role my experience in the Scottish Parliament as your MSP, and in public life as someone who has long fought for social justice, equality, and workers’ rights – someone unafraid to stand firm in the face of adversity.
“But above all, I bring a heart full of hope: hope in your generation and your potential, and the conviction that together, we can build something better.”