Linda Stewart

Head of European Development

UHI Millennium Institute – creating the University of the

Highlands & Islands of Scotland

Population of the Highlands & Islands

Structure of UHI

Twelve partners

Further education colleges

Specialist colleges

Research institutions

Over 100 outreach learning centres

Using technology to help people learn with and from each other

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Development of UHI

1992 Project established

1996 Millennium Commission funding

2001 Higher education institution status

2002 Research funding

2004 Parity of funding for teaching

2005 Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Strathclyde agree to support university title application

2008 Taught degree awarding powers

University title thereafterCreating the University of the Highlands and Islands

UHI mission

To be a distinctive and innovative regional university of national and international significance; a university with a pivotal role in the educational, economic, social, cultural and environmental infrastructure of its region and which

reaches out to the people of the Highlands and Islands and the rest of the world through its research and teaching.

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Why UHI?

Meet the needs of employers for a skilled workforce

Provide local access to higher education for mature (non-geographically mobile) students and a local study option for school leavers

Attract young and mature students to the region to study and undertake research

Undertake research of regional and international significance in niche areas based on the geography, environment, industries, culture and social needs of the region

Create high-value jobs, through both direct employment and through commercialisation of research and spin-out businessesCreating the University of the Highlands and Islands

The UHI difference

A distinctive ‘new generation’ lifelong learning university

A seamless combination of further (craft and skills) and higher (university-level) education

Research-based but with an applied and vocational focus

Distributed partnership model – sustaining and enhancing local communities throughout the region

Addressing local and regional needs, but outward looking and of international significance

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI, Dunstaffnage

Lochaber College UHI, Fort William

Lews Castle College UHI, Stornoway

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, Isle of Skye

NAFC Marine Centre UHI, Scalloway

Highland Theological College UHI, Dingwall

Profile

Over 7500 students on university-level courses

60% of students over 25 years of age and 62% studying part-time

Over 1600 undergraduate and postgraduate degree awards

A developing research portfolio of international standing

Independently assessed quality standards equivalent to long established universities

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Route to University Title

1999 Act – Route via Quality Assurance Agency

taught Degree Awarding Powers (tDAP) … 2008

research Degree Awarding Powers (rDAP)

(Replaced by sponsorship model: Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Strathclyde Universities)

University Title … 20??

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Blended learning

Face-to-face

Video-conferencing / audio conferencing

Electronic communications (e-mail, chat, discussion boards)

On-line (Virtual Learning Environment)

Printed materials

Local or on-line study support

Dedicated student advisor

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Regional Development

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Regional Development‘Great economies are built on great universities’

Bill Joy, former CEO of Sun Systems

Smart, Successful Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise:

‘Priority for Action:Harnessing the University of the Highlands and Islands

as a “global magnet”, enriching the region’s academic, cultural and creative mix and providing a driver for knowledge

transfer and commercialisation’

The message

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Meeting the needs of lifelong learners with high quality programmes and support

Addressing skills gaps and employer demand

Building a knowledge economy

Overcoming geographic barriers

Engaged with employers and the wider community

Making best use of resources through networking and shared services

Delivering the government’s priorities and objectives

University of the Highlands and Islands

‘Embracing the opportunity of geography.’

‘Helping make the Highlands and Islands wealthier and fairer, smarter, healthier, safer and stronger, and greener’

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands