UHI Transformation
Your voice matters!
Fill out the survey by 19th of December, 5pm.
The survey is open for the second round of feedback.
Deadline: Dec 19th, 5pm.
Background
The concept of a university in the highlands was developed in the 1990s when a number of colleges and specialist institutions across the Highlands, Islands, Moray and Perthshire decided to collaborate on a new model for delivering university education to remote and rural communities. This new partnership became UHI and after years of development was given the ability to award its own degrees in 2011. This has had a significant impact on the regions it serves by allowing individuals to study for a degree while remaining in their community.
UHI has set out its ambitions to teach more students and provide more opportunities over the coming years, as set out in its 2030 strategy. It wants to continue to provide opportunities to local, national and international students and increase the reach of its impact. However, these ambitions are set against a very challenging financial position, with Scottish Government funding for colleges at its lowest level for decades and strong competition for students in the sector. In addition to these external financial challenges, because of the way the UHI partnership is currently organised, the university and colleges require to spend a significant amount on internal management activity. The current position is not sustainable in the long term given the financial pressures within the education sector and all UHI partners are therefore actively collaborating and working towards developing a new way of working to become organisationally and financially sustainable going forward. This will allow UHI and its academic partners to continue to deliver the greatest value to our students, staff and communities and maintain the best possible student experience in the future.
What does this mean in practice for students?
UHI and its college partners are working on a Business Case to look at ways to improve how it is structured and operates, aiming to create a more efficient and effective system – what UHI calls a ‘new operating model’. The goal is to reduce internal bureaucracy, making UHI more financially sustainable and allowing more resources to be focused on enhancing the student experience. It is important that students’ views are central to any changes and feed into the development of this business case.
So please complete this questionnaire and we can ensure your views are heard.
Your voice matters!
I want to know more!
We've got you covered with our student-focused Frequently Asked Questions!
For more information:
Visit the UHI Transformation webpage:UHI Transformation for Students