Regional Arctic cooperation in practice

A local example - the University of the

Highlands & Islands in UArctic

Linda StewartDirector of European & International Devt

UHI

History: Development of UHI

1992 University Project established

1996 Millennium Commission funding

2001 Higher Education Institution (HEI) status (Teaching Funding)

2002 Research Assessment Exercise 2001 (Research Funding)

2008 Taught degree awarding powers

2010 Application for University Title

2011 The University of the Highlands & Islands

- member of UArctic throughout!

13 partners

Further Education colleges

Specialist colleges

Research institutions

Over 100 outreach learning centres

Linked by technology

Academic Partnership

Shetland College UHI, Lerwick

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, Isle of Skye

Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI, Dunstaffnage

A new University model

Tertiary: a seamless combination of further (craft and skills) and higher (university-level) education

Lifelong Learning and access

Research-based but with an applied and vocational focus

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

Delivering a university curriculum for the region across campuses

Research and knowledge transfer

Blended Learning

A considered approach that selects from a range of e-learning technologies and traditional face-to-face methods to facilitate student engagement, develop independent learners and enhance the learning experience.

Never more than 30 miles from...

Single site specialisms 20 degrees (regional core) 10 Masters programmes Vocationally focussed HNCs Work-based learning / CPD FE and links to schools

Gateway campus concept

Research Niches (1)

Marine science – oceans, climate, biodiversity, resources, policy, geochemistry, fisheries

Environmental science – biodiversity, impact assessments

Mountain studies

Interpretation studies

3D acoustic map. Mingulay coral reefs

Research Niches (2)

Social sciences – rural child, rural studies, rural policy

Renewable energy Marine kinetic

Marine biomass

Micro-renewables,

Hydrogen economy

Low carbon buildings

Diabetes and cardiovascular science

Rural health/well being

Research Niches (3)

Archaeology – world heritage

Agronomy, natural products (sweet gale, bere)

Sustainability

Culture and language

Gaelic, Nordic

Highlands history

Humanities and arts – theology, fine art, music

The Economic Impact

BIGGAR ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY

For every £1 invested UHI returns £4

UHI’s education supports 3300 jobs

UHI’s Education adds to the Scottish Economy £191m p.a.

The FE Partnership and Other Business supports 2700 jobs

The FE Partnership adds to the Scottish Economy £202m p.a

European development

Links with other European HEIs and networks

Links with European institutions – regional, national and EU

EU funding programmes – INTERREG, Research, Education & Culture

Wider international development

European development – Structural Funds

Objective 1 1994 – 1999

HISTP 2000 – 2006

ERDF & ESF Convergence Programmes 2007 – 2013

New 2014-20 Programmes?

Future Arctic cooperation?

Build on collaboration to date

EU 2020 context

New role for UArctic?