Historic day for Shetland College UHI and NAFC Marine Centre UHI as University of the Highlands and Islands becomes Scotland's newest university
Today (2 February) is a historic day for Shetland College UHI and NAFC Marine Centre UHI as UHI Millennium Institute becomes the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
The University of the Highlands and Islands is the only university based in the region. As well as providing local people with the choice of university study close to home, this innovative and energetic institution will be a magnet for attracting students, researchers and staff into the area; helping to stimulate economic, social and cultural development.
Director of Shetland College UHI, George Smith, explained what the achievement of university title by UHI will mean to Shetland as a whole, as well as to the college. He said: “Shetland College UHI is a founding academic partner of UHI and, as such, we are extremely pleased that after many years of hard work university status has been achieved for the Highlands and Islands.
“It is tremendously important for Shetland College UHI and for Shetland as a whole that students can now study for qualifications to degree level and beyond without having to leave the islands. This will allow industry to access a broad range of qualifications relevant to the economic and social development of Shetland on their doorstep."
Director of NAFC Marine Centre UHI, Professor David Gray, added: “The NAFC Marine Centre UHI has been, and continues to be, a proud academic partner in the UHI family. We are delighted that university title has been awarded to UHI; a deserving recognition of the high standard of education being delivered throughout the Highlands and Islands.”
UHI comprises thirteen colleges, specialist institutions and research centres spread across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; an area twice the size of Wales. It uses information technologies to link together students and staff to bring access to higher education to dispersed communities. The achievement of university title by UHI is the realisation of a long-time ambition for the region to have its own university to support economic development and to help sustain rural and island communities.
Shetland College UHI exists to provide high quality further and higher education and training, which meets the needs of the population and employers, and contributes to economic growth.
NAFC Marine Centre UHI offers high quality accredited and bespoke training, as well as research, development and knowledge exchange provision to clients including the nautical, fisheries, engineering, aquaculture and scientific sectors and other emerging industries that may contribute to sustainable development.
Further information:
For further information, please contact: George Smith, Shetland College UHI, tel 01595 771000, email george.smith@shetland.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk
Or, Professor David Gray, NAFC Marine Centre UHI, tel 01595 772000, email david.gray@nafc.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.nafc.ac.uk
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com or visit www.shaw-online.com
Notes to editors
UHI Millennium Institute was designated as a higher education institution in April 2001. It was granted taught degree awarding powers, a necessary precursor to university title, in August 2008.
UHI’s application for university title was supported by the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Strathclyde who will continue to work with UHI in its future development.
The title application was made in May 2010 following which an independent panel of academic appointed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education scrutinised UHI’s readiness for university title. In December 2010 the QAA advised the Scottish Government that UHI met the necessary quality, standards and requirements for university title.
UHI has over 8,000 students and more than 100 courses in subjects including marine science, sustainable rural development, Gaelic studies, fine art, engineering, social sciences, child and youth studies, archaeology, computing, history, and business leadership and management; all tailored for the needs of the region and beyond.
UHI has awarded over 2000 undergraduate degrees since 1999.
New courses for this year include a BA in tourism and hospitality practice, a postgraduate certificate in enterprise and e-marketing, and an MLitt in the history of the Highlands and Islands.
The UHI partners are:
Argyll College UHI
Highland Theological College UHI – (Dingwall)
Inverness College UHI
Lews Castle College UHI – (Western Isles)
Moray College UHI
NAFC Marine Centre UHI – (Scalloway, Shetland)
North Highland College UHI
Orkney College UHI
Perth College UHI
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI – (Skye)
Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI – (Dunstaffnage, near Oban)
Shetland College UHI
West Highland College UHI
