Regional Arctic cooperation in practice A local example - the University of the Highlands & Islands in UArctic Linda Stewart Director 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 – 1999  HISTP 2000 – 2006  ERDF & ESF Convergence Programmes 2007 – 2013  New Programmes?

Future Arctic cooperation?  Build on collaboration to date  EU 2020 context  New role for UArctic?