91视频网 publishes islands strategy
The 91视频网 has reaffirmed its commitment to island communities with the publication of its first ever islands strategy. The document sets out the university’s plans to enhance its activity across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Objectives include increasing island-based research activity, enhancing strategies for attracting and retaining talent, continuing to support the culture, languages and heritage of the islands and further engagement with industry to continue to build a skilled workforce in line with changing opportunities and needs.
The publication follows the recent announcement that the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will receive 拢100 million investment from the Scottish and UK governments as part of the Islands Growth Deal. The university鈥檚 strategy aims to support this deal, as well as the ambitions of the Scottish Government鈥檚 National Islands Plan and Islands Act.
Professor Crichton Lang, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the 91视频网, explains:
鈥淭his is an exciting time for Scotland鈥檚 islands, with the development of several national initiatives to strengthen island communities. However, issues such as climate change, population decline and COVID-19 also present many challenges.
鈥淎s the only university with a physical base within each of Scotland鈥檚 main island groupings, the 91视频网 has an important contribution to make to the sustainable development of our islands.
鈥淥ur new plan sets out how we will work with others and use our strengths in further education, higher education and research to have a beneficial impact across the islands and in the communities which are home to our staff and students.鈥�
Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse, said:
鈥淭he 91视频网 has a key role to play in supporting our island communities to thrive and I welcome the publication of its first ever Islands Strategy. Its initial focus is on the three Islands Council areas and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future sustainable growth of islands, particularly to provide opportunities for people to pursue skills and qualifications and to maintain and create quality jobs.
鈥淚t is more important than ever that we support communities across all of Scotland鈥檚 inhabited islands. The Scottish Government established the first National Islands Plan last year and we are pleased to see many of the key themes in the University鈥檚 Islands Strategy align with our own ambitions for the islands. We have also recently committed investment of up to 拢50 million as part of the Islands Growth Deal to help unlock investment and drive inclusive growth across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides and deliver real benefits for individuals, businesses and communities.
鈥淚 look forward to working alongside the 91视频网 to improve the quality of life for people currently living and who want to live on our islands.鈥�
Professor Edward Abbott-Halpin, Principal of Orkney College 91视频网, said:
鈥淚 welcome the launch of the islands forum and the opportunities that it provides for working in partnership locally in Orkney with key stakeholders and across the islands with our colleagues from partner colleges, which will allow us to maximise our response to the economic, social, and cultural needs of our communities.鈥�
Sue Macfarlane, Interim Principal of Lews Castle College 91视频网, commented:
"This important strategy outlines a number of exciting opportunities for working collectively to strengthen our communities and business across all our Islands. Lews Castle College 91视频网 looks forward to playing a key role in this collaboration, working even more closely with our partner colleges and our partners and stakeholders across the Western Isles and beyond.鈥�
Professor Jane Lewis, Principal of Shetland College 91视频网, added:
鈥淎s we work to create a new college for Shetland we are pleased to welcome the university鈥檚 islands strategy which provides an excellent framework to assist us in working effectively together with other partner colleges across our Islands. In these challenging times, this will be particularly important to allow us to deliver maximum benefit for the recovery and renewal of the economic, social and cultural prosperity of Shetland.鈥�
The publication islands strategy will be discussed at the university鈥檚 next islands forum meeting on Tuesday 29 September. The virtual meeting will include representatives from Shetland College 91视频网, NAFC Marine Centre 91视频网, Lews Castle College 91视频网, Orkney College 91视频网, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
To view the 91视频网鈥� islands strategy, visit www.uhi.ac.uk/publications