Meetings held with Dundee University in 2025: FOI release

Information requested

• How many meetings has a Scottish Government Minister held with Dundee University in 2025, and could you supply all minutes/notes from these meetings?
• Could you supply all meeting requests made by Dundee Uni as well in 2025, and whether these were accepted or rejected?

Your request refers to meetings with ‘Dundee University’. We have interpreted this to mean meetings between Scottish Government Ministers and the University’s Executive Group. Our response is therefore based on this scope.

Response

Response to your request (Part 1)

In reference to the first part of your request there were 10 meetings deemed to be in scope of the request and notes of these meetings are enclosed in Annex A.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section(s):

• Section 30(c) effective conduct of public affairs

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. It is essential for Ministers to be able to discuss, often in confidence, matters with external stakeholders, such as the leadership of the University, on a range of issues.

Disclosing the content of the information from this correspondence, is likely to undermine their trust in the Scottish Government and will substantially inhibit communications on this type of issue in the future. Stakeholders will be reluctant to participate in providing views if they believe their views are likely to be made public. This would significantly harm the Government's ability to carry out many aspects of its work and could adversely affect its ability to gather all of the advice and views it needs to make fully informed decisions.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the process of allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which external stakeholders can offer views and advice as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government's position on a range of issues, until the Government as a whole can adopt policies or decisions that are sound and likely to be effective. There is also a public interest in maintaining the trust and confidence of external stakeholders.

This private space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken based on fully informed advice and evidence. Disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between the Scottish Government and these stakeholders, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.

• Section 33(1)(b) commercial interests of University of Dundee

Exemption(s) under section 33 (1)(b) of FOISA (substantial prejudice to commercial interests) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of an independent organisation, in this case the University of Dundee. Specifically, release of the information could weaken their current financial situation, reveal sensitive commercial and strategic information, or provide an unfair advantage to competitors.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, in this case, we have concluded that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. This is because disclosure would be likely to cause real, significant harm to the commercial interests of the parties involved, which would not be in the public interest.

• Section 38(1)(b) personal information

Exemption(s) under section s.38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested. This is because it mostly relates to the personal data of civil servants below Senior Civil Service grades and personal data of external stakeholders who are not in public positions of leadership. There was also one interest where discussion related to an individual's personal circumstances. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

​​​​​​​Response to your request (Part 2)

​​​​​​​In reference to the second part of your request there were 3 meeting requests made by members of the University of Dundee Executive Group during 2025. All three meetings were accepted with the latter meeting yet to be arranged.

Meeting requests from the University Executive Group
02/04/2025	Invite from Prof Shane O'Neill to the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills for a call	Accepted
30/06/2025	Invite from Prof Nigel Seaton to the First Minister for a meeting	Accepted
24/09/2025	Invite from Prof Nigel Seaton to the Minister for Higher and Further Education for intro meeting	Accepted (meeting not yet arranged)​​​​​​​

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500495821 - Information Released - Annex A

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