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  2005Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Strathclyde agree to support university title application  2008 Taught degree awarding powers  University title thereafter Creating 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 businesses Creating 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 ( , 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