University of the Highlands and Islands celebrates 10th birthday

Lews Castle College UHI. Photo credit: Tim Winterburn / UHI

This year, the University of the Highlands and Islands is celebrating the 10th anniversary of being awarded its full university status. A partnership of 13 independent colleges and research institutions, the university is the first of its kind in Scotland and among only a handful in Europe.

With almost 42,000 students enrolled in further and higher education, the university is home to the largest student population in Scotland and has pioneered remote and distance learning.

As a key partner of the university, HIE is joining University of the Highlands and Islands in marking the anniversary celebrations with a seminar highlighting the university’s important work on health and life sciences. The seminar will look at how the university’s research activity aligns with the clinical and economic needs of the area and the associated opportunities for the region. Here, we take a broader look at the work of some of the university’s leading academics, and also talk to some of the many students who have benefited from the university, and are now working to create additional opportunities for others in the Highlands and Islands.

A NEW DECADE, A NEW PRINCIPAL

The Privy Council may have conferred official university status on 1 February 2011, but the roots of the University of the Highlands and Islands can be traced back as far as 1884 and the founding of its oldest member institution, the Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI (SAMS UHI). Today, the university encompasses institutions rooted in communities across the Highlands and Islands (see map). In 2021, the anniversary was doubly notable as it was also the day the university welcomed its new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Todd Walker. At first taking up his new role remotely from his home in Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Professor Walker brings a wealth of experience of multi-campus education from his role as Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of New England in New South Wales.

Professor Todd Walker Professor Walker explains: “I was delighted to join the university partnership on its 10th birthday and I commend our founders for their vision in providing tertiary education in the Highlands and Islands. I have seen first-hand the benefits of multi-campus and tertiary universities from my time at Australian institutions including the University of Ballarat, Federation University and the University of New England. I am excited to work with staff and students, partners and principals, community and government to help shape our remarkable organisation for the next ten years.”

Moray College UHI. Photo credit: Tim Winterburn / UHI

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES, INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

As a regional, multi-campus university, unique in Scotland, the University of the Highlands and Islands has pioneered blended learning. This year, three of its partners, North Highland College UHI, West Highland College UHI and Inverness College UHI were shortlisted in the prestigious Times Educational Supplement Awards 2021 for ‘outstanding use of technology in delivering remote teaching and learning’. Students can attend in person at over 70 local learning centres or study online from anywhere in the world, with qualifications available in subjects from archaeology and business to languages and theology. With one third of all students coming from outside the traditional catchment area, it’s clear that the reputation of the university is spreading far and wide. Over 69% of the university’s research has been classified as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ according to the Research Excellence Framework.

The university contributes £560m each year to the economies of the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire, and supports 6,200 jobs. A new Islands Strategy has been developed in line with the Scottish Government’s Island Growth agenda. The strategy will recognise and reinforce the commitment of the university to support island economies and deliver tailored course offerings. Marking the institution’s 10th birthday, Morven Cameron, HIE’s head of universities, education and skills, says:

“Our close association with the University of the Highlands and Islands dates back to its candidate status in the nineties, through its giant strides to university status in 2011. The unique strategic partnership between HIE and the university remains as strong as ever and the 10th anniversary of that important milestone is certainly something to celebrate.

“You can’t overstate the importance of universities to the region’s economy. They attract and retain talent, particularly young people. They strengthen skills and expertise across the workforce, which helps attract inward investors. They employ people directly and indirectly, and they invest in capital and infrastructure.” Today, 10 years on from the award of full university status, students and staff are relishing new opportunities to live, work and study in the Highlands and Islands.

FINDING THE IDEAL HOME BASE

As the daughter of a serving military officer, Amie Williams was used to moving around. While working as an au pair in Switzerland at the age of 17, she decided to build on her interest in scuba diving and study marine science as a way to build a career in the field.

“I wanted to study marine science as it encompasses multiple disciplines,” explains Amie. She found the ideal course on offer at SAMS UHI in Oban.

Amie Williams “I was drawn to the small class sizes and good relationships on offer with researchers – the SAMS course offered a way to get really submerged in the topic.”

Deciding to stay in Oban having successfully completed her course and a subsequent Masters, Amie is confident she made the right decision. “I made the best friends of my life at SAMS and got opportunities I wouldn’t have had anywhere else,” she says. “In our first year, we were out on boats doing sampling fieldwork and that experience, plus the network I built up at SAMS, helped me get to where I am today. I’ve done internships in South Africa and the Philippines, worked on a project in Peru and served as Project Manager for the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme.” Building on these roles, Amie’s current position with NatureScot sees her facilitating the production of marine protected area (MPA) management plans for the Argyll marine region, which for the first time aims to trial MPA management on a regional, rather than site-specific, basis. Having made her home in Oban, Amie can think of no better base for her marine science career. “I’ve moved around a lot, but I’ve never felt settled like I am here in Oban,” she explains. “There’s so much on your doorstep. For SAMS students, this is great, because it means you don’t have to go anywhere else for marine environments or lab facilities during term time, and now it’s perfect for me because it’s a place you can’t help but fall in love with. Oban is busy enough without being crowded, and I have the beach and amazing views right on my doorstep.”

A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT, UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

Dr Anuschka Miller, a marine biogeochemist who now leads SAMS UHI’s work in connecting with locals in and around Oban as well as in the global scientific community, echoes the importance of the local environment to SAMS UHI.

“Scots are rightly proud of our education system, but this is often focused on the central belt and east. People are often surprised to find an institution like SAMS in Oban, and are blown away by the diversity of what we do here. Scotland has so many diverse marine environments and from here we can study ocean environments, sea lochs, sheltered environments and more.”

Having been part of SAMS UHI for two decades, Dr Miller has seen the institution double in staff complement, add 200 fulltime students and attract new marine science businesses to the area, forming a specialist hub in the HIE-funded European Marine Science Park. And over time, as Dr Miller explains, SAMS UHI has also become evermore embedded in the Oban community following its relocation from Millport in the 1960s. “When I first arrived, there was a little bit of a disconnect between SAMS and locals. But as we’ve developed our degree programmes and established a Festival of the Sea and the Ocean Explorer visitor and outreach centre, we’ve been able to recruit more staff and students locally and we’re now one vibrant community. People used to have to choose to leave this beautiful place and their loved ones if they wanted certain careers, and now they can stay here and have both. Contributing to forming a university that will still be here in 500 years, connecting Oban to the world, may well turn out to be SAMS’ greatest legacy.”

WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES

“I’m a Shetlander born and bred,” reports Dr Beth Mouat. “I am very conscious of how fortunate I am that the university partnership covers the islands, meaning I can pursue my career without having to sacrifice living in the place I call home.” As Joint Head of Marine Science and Technology at Shetland’s NAFC Marine Centre UHI, Dr Mouat is responsible for marine research and development with a focus on marine spatial planning, aquaculture and the fisheries industries which are so critical to Shetland.

Dr Beth Mouat “This is an excellent place to study, work, research and learn as well as being a fantastic place to live,” says Dr Mouat. “People think of the islands as being remote, but when we consider fisheries or aquaculture we are actually at the centre of things, and this strength of location will hopefully continue with opportunities for the production of renewable energy. Historically we were right at the centre of international maritime trade routes and that connectivity and the outward-facing community it creates both continue today. Culturally, islanders are adaptable and innovative, so it makes sense that we’re at the forefront of this new style of regional university.”

Being rooted in local communities means that the activities and offerings of the university can be tailored to serve local needs. “The NAFC started out as a training college for the local fishing industry so that our fishermen could gain the qualifications they needed without having to travel to the mainland. Over time the range of courses and formal qualifications has expanded, and we now offer a broad range of maritime courses, including cadetships in the merchant navy. Our expertise in the local marine environment means we’ve been well placed to serve and support the development of the aquaculture sector too.” Dr Mouat is leading the university’s new Islands Strategy, and considers it a strong statement of intent to support island communities. “The islands share some common challenges – including population decline and climate change mitigation – but each also has its own unique situation. We’re working on supporting communities and businesses now and in the future, protecting rural economies as circumstances change and helping the islands benefit from investment in local people and home-grown talent.”

LIVE LOCAL, STUDY LOCAL, WORK LOCAL

As well as providing high quality job opportunities for faculty and support staff, the university is helping students into employment too. Eddie Mowles had been unemployed for 16 years when he enrolled as a mature student at West Highland College UHI in Fort William. Over the course of his maritime and aquaculture studies, tutors saw him transform from being unsure of computers and wary of studying alongside younger students to being a confident leader in the classroom who often helped his classmates. After successfully completing work experience and a timelimited work contract, Eddie returned to the classroom to continue his education at the Mallaig learning centre on an NC shipping and operations course. His progress, dedication and transformation earned him the title of University of the Highlands and Islands Further Education Student of the Year.

Eddie says: “I now have the confidence to do things I never thought I could do. Mallaig is a special place.”

Course leader Shaun Escott, who nominated Eddie for the award, explains: “We are all very proud of Eddie. He demonstrated tremendous determination and used his college experience to turn his life around completely. He is testament that our courses can be life changing.

STUDENTS MAKING AN IMPACT

The work of one student at the university has changed not only his own life, but the daily habits of countless people across the country. John Frace added a COVID-19 tracker to his Travelling Tabby website in March 2020, and over a year later people still log on each afternoon for the daily updates. From his home in Dunoon, John is studying for a degree in business and management with the University of the Highlands and Islands. He credits his success in building his website in part to the HNC in digital design and web development which he previously completed at Argyll College UHI.

“It had a big focus on web design and what makes a good website good,” explains John.

And with almost 15 million visits to his site to date, as well as national news coverage, it seems certain John’s website has been a resounding success. Another student working to make a difference is Ellie McLaren, newly appointed Student Ambassador for XpoNorth, the creative economy support network for the Highlands and Islands. Graduating this spring with a degree in applied music, Ellie is all too aware of how daunting the process can be for students leaving education and entering the job market. As Student Ambassador, Ellie will help build on the success of the LevelUP! programme delivered jointly by XpoNorth and the university to help students into careers in the creative industries.

Ellie McLaren “We’re in the pilot year right now and exploring what support is needed long term,” explains Ellie. “The idea is that students will be able to access mentoring, career advice and access to find career opportunities, which are even more limited than usual right now due to the pandemic.”

With a flexible online learning model, Ellie was able to combine her own studies with valuable teaching and performance opportunities she wouldn’t have been able to take advantage of had she been learning in a traditional university setting. “It was a much more intimate and engaging learning experience. I felt more comfortable speaking up and asking questions in a group of 10 than I would have in a packed lecture hall. We all met up for residencies four times each year, and it was great to see just how many students there are in the same boat as you. The residencies were definitely a mixture of studying and socialising! “I think there’s a lot people need to learn about distance learning – people worry that they might miss out on the student experience, but that’s not been the case for me. Being able to fit studying around my own schedule of teaching and performing has been ideal, and now I’m learning a lot in my new role with XpoNorth. It’s really exciting being able to tell students based in the Highlands and Islands about all the great opportunities they can access in the music business.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

As the partnership celebrates 10 years since receiving official university status, Professor Walker has his sights set firmly on the future.

“I have joined the University of the Highlands and Islands at such an exciting time in its development and growth,” he says. “Our mission is to have a transformational impact on the prospects of our region, its economy, its people and its communities.

“I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with staff and students, partners and principals, community and government as we continue to build and strengthen the university partnership to achieve this aim. I believe the University of the Highlands and Islands is poised for a bright future and I am honoured to lead the partnership through the next chapter of the university’s development.”