The principal of Dundee University has claimed a new good governance code will make Scottish universities more transparent and accountable.
Professor Pete Downes was speaking as the draft code was published yesterday.
It includes measures to provide greater clarity about the process used to make decisions on the pay of university principals.
Earlier this week, the National Union of Students said the sums being paid to principals and other senior staff were unjustifiable, with dozens earning more than the First Minister.
Professor Downes’ pay and benefits came to £242,000, with his counterpart at St Andrews University, Professor Louise Richardson, on £271,000 and the head of Abertay University, Professor Nigel Seaton, on £161,950.
The draft code, drawn up by a team led by Lord Smith of Kelvin, says universities should have a remuneration committee including at least three independent members. The principal should not attend meetings at which his or her pay is discussed, but should be consulted on pay for other senior staff.
Professor Downes, who is chairman of umbrella body Universities Scotland, said: “The new code makes a significant number of stretching and progressive requirements that will make Scotland’s universities even more transparent, inclusive and accountable to their many stakeholders.
“I support its introduction in Scotland and I’m confident that all universities will get behind it.”
The code of governance will be finalised after an eight-week consultation period and will come into force in August.
NUS Scotland president Robin Parker said: “We always said having university chairs making up their own code on governance would risk a weak code.
“It now seems this risk has been realised. What this code seems to do is provide universities all of the autonomy without any increase inresponsibility.”