External and Government relations; Open data

8.17 External and Community Relations

This category covers information relating to the institution's relationship with its external environment. These include how it manages its relationship with the local community and how it retains contact with its former staff and students.

By virtue of its nature, most institutions will probably find that the majority of these categories are already made available to the public by some means. On this page, you can find information on:

  • Alumni
  • Community relations
  • Development activities
  • Public relations

8.18 Government and Regulator Relations

This category covers information the institution provides to government and external regulators and information provided to the Scottish Funding Council for monitoring purposes. By virtue of its nature most institutions will probably find that the majority of these categories are already made available to the public by some means. Members of the public are also likely to find the same or related information is available from the external partners the institution has links with. The category includes:

  • Funding body statistical reports and returns
  • Other statutory reports
  • Information on student admissions, progression and completion

8.19 Open data

The Scottish Government's Open Data Resource Pack refers to existing information legislation, and it adds that the Scottish Government's Open Data Strategy is part of a wider initiative which has been designed to get "public sector organisations across Europe releasing their data on a regular basis."  Universities are encouraged to make available open data, although the Strategy also states that "..the Open Data Strategy encourages the proactive release of data in a manner currently beyond that required by legislation". [page 4]. 

Universities are therefore not generally required, under current information legislation, to participate in the Government's Open Data initiative.  Our University does, however, participate in making data available where possible, in particular where this is consistent with legislation and its policies, procedures, strategy, and the conditions of research or other funding