BOTH in your news and letter pages hardly a week seems to pass without extensive negative coverage of Glasgow Caledonian University, often from former members of staff with various complaints and grudges.

Your readers should realise that Caledonian is a successful, vibrant, popular university, with dedicated staff doing great things for the people and economy of Scotland. One glance at the City Campus reveals the investment in the future. One glance at the Government's independent Teaching Quality Assessments shows very good results being achieved, including in radiography which has been the subject of some of the stories.

One glance at the applications statistics shows that we are very popular with students and their teachers and parents, and indeed are full right up to the target allowed by Government this year. Employers greatly appreciate the practical vocational education we give; so do professional bodies. Students appreciate the excellent boost to their careers.

Of course, in a large and complex institution not everything is perfect all the time. We have just had an in-depth independent ''Darby'' inquiry into allegations about academic matters in one unit in over 2700 and one programme in over 400 in 1993/94. That inquiry found that there had indeed been technical irregularities in these isolated cases and that a very small number of staff had shown lapses in professional judgment.

However, even in these cases where there had been some problems, the inquiry clearly found that academic standards had been maintained, no student passed who should not have done so, financial considerations were not affecting decisions on standards, and all students who passed achieved registration to practise from the appropriate professional body. The inquiry found no evidence that standards had not been maintained in other academic areas.

The inquiry also covered some other issues concerning management culture, governance, and personnel practice.

The university court and senate have paid a lot of attention to the lessons of the report over the past three months, and have developed an action plan to put in place safeguards designed to prevent repetition. The action plan is extensive, but includes: new whistle-blowing and complaints procedures; a register of interests for staff and governors; a Nolan-style value set; procedures for non-academic staff recruitment; a new internal quality audit function; democratisation and strengthening of committees; and a more open approach with extensive consultation on key issues.

It is widely acknowledged that the university has taken action and is moving forward positively.

Nevertheless it is still necessary to rebut recent inaccuracies in your letters section. For example:-

The university has not spent #500,000 defending its decision to sack my predecessor, and a large part of the actual costs are in fact insured.

The former Acting Principal has not continued to draw his Acting Principal's salary since my arrival.

The contract for providing services to the Caledonian College of Engineering in Oman has been approved by the University Court. The arrangement is providing income for the university. Students from the college have progressed with their studies to the point that some are now studying to complete their degrees here as planned.

It is perfectly normal for the engineering department here to have contributed to the set-up costs since that department is benefiting from the flow of students. Thus the arrangement benefits students in Oman who would not otherwise be able to study engineering there, and benefits this university. It is a constructive partnership with the owners of the college in Oman.

We welcome the coverage by The Herald and recognise your right to criticise. But we would also like to see you covering and celebrating our success. The 1200 staff, 1400 students, and countless former students and their employers deserve no less. There is a lot to celebrate. For example:-

The new ''state of the art'' Faculty of Health building serving 5100 students.

Hosting a major seminar led by the South African High Commissioner who praised our interest in the history of the anti-apartheid movement, and our contribution to developing uniquely African forms of health care.

Opening industry-supported research centres on waste management and on tourism development (which will produce jobs in Scotland).

The award of extra funding for an ''excellent'' rating in the Government's Teaching Quality Assessment for Physiotherapy.

And, of course, there are many more examples in all three faculties of the university, which help us make a very positive contribution to the Scottish economy and wider community, and to enable us to offer learning opportunities to a very wide range of people.

Dr Ian Johnston,

Principal and Vice Chancellor,

Glasgow Caledonian University,

Cowcaddens Road,

Glasgow.

January 11.