The Regional University as an Engine for

Economic, Social and Cultural

Transformation

Fiona M Larg

Chief Operating Officer and University

Secretary

15 November 2013

Welcome to our campus

• The only university based in

our region.

• Access to postgraduate and

undergraduate study and

research opportunities

through our distinctive

partnership of 13 colleges

and research institutions.

Welcome to our campus

Our students study full

and part time, at

undergraduate or

postgraduate level or for

professional qualifications

to enhance their career.

They are all part of a

diverse study community

connected by innovative

learning technologies.

Our campus

• Each campus has its own

character and contributes

to our distinctive

university. Some are

relatively large colleges in

the urban centres such

as Perth, Elgin and

Inverness.

• Others are smaller,

including some whose

focus is research.

Purpose

• The University of the

Highlands and Islands

will have a

transformational

impact on the

development and

prospects of the

region, its people and

its communities.

Vision

• A University IN, OF

and FOR the

Highlands and Islands

Regional issues

• Lower earnings

• Lack of professional and

managerial jobs

• Seasonality of tourism industry

• Underemployment

• Out migration of young

people

• Population gap in 15-30 year

olds

• Public sector job losses

• Poor broadband provision

• Fragile island and peripheral

rural communities

• External companies securing

public sector contracts

Building on Progress

• GVA up from 66.9% to 76.1%

between 2001 and 2009

• Major growth region of UK

• Increase in population

• Lower unemployment

• Renewable energy

development

• National and international

airlinks

• Successful specialisms

• Establishment of a university

UHI’s contribution

• Retention of higher education

students

• Well paid professional jobs

• Attraction of students to the

region

• Knowledge transfer to

businesses

• Better use of facilities

• Student progression

• Major public sector investment

in infrastructure

• Study in remote and rural areas

• Participation in sub regional

partnerships

• Economic Intelligence Unit

Undergraduate degrees

Engineering

Tourism

Creative Industries

Life Sciences

Rural Development

Business and

Management

IT

Research

Research expertise includes:

• Environmental Science

• Marine Science

• Renewables

• Diabetes and

Cardiovascular Science

• Celtic and Nordic Studies

• Archaeology

• Tourism and Heritage

• History

• Gaelic

Key Social and Cultural Impacts

• Local learning centres

• Interaction between

generations

• Interaction across the

region

• Promotion of Gaelic

language

• Reversing population

decline

• Undergraduate and

postgraduate courses in

cultural subjects

Making a Difference

• For our students

• For our businesses

• For our communities

Inverness Campus

Young Student

Video

Thank you!

Q&A