Arguing the point over sea and mountain

A unique partnership

The UHI Millennium Institute became a designated higher education institution in April 2001. This unique partnership of fifteen colleges and research institutions now offers university-level education throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Although the learning network is based on this partnership, many of the colleges also operate local learning centres, enabling students to join courses and study without making long daily journeys. Each college and research institution has its own distinctive character and local strengths so students can share in the educational advantages of a much larger institution whilst benefiting from the personal attention and care only a smaller college can give.

A model of remote control

The Institute is a successful model of how to empower remote communities and is proving an inspiration to countries world-wide with dispersed populations. A conference at Lews Castle College in Stornoway last September attracted over 40 delegates from around the world to exchange ideas about good practice based on the UHI model.

Technology serving people

UHI's students, lecturers, colleges, research institutions and learning centres are all part of an advanced high-speed electronic network. And although £75 million has been invested in technology and facilities to provide access to university-level education throughout the vast geographical region, UHI is not a 'virtual' campus. Students normally study at a college or learning centre. Many indeed take classes at large and very busy campuses, whilst others access their courses through smaller learning centres in some of Britain's most remote communities. For the latter, although tutors and classmates may be many miles away and linked up electronically, trained staff will usually be on hand to give support, advice and help. The concept cleverly combines the economies of distance learning with the all important social and pastoral support system of the campus.

Keeping distinct cultures alive

As well as being a superb educational model in terms of its concept and structure, the UHI Millennium Institute has also achieved the goal of enabling students both from the region and beyond to learn about the unique culture and working life of the Highlands and Islands. Gaelic Language and Culture, with options to combine with contemporary subjects like Communications and Media are therefore key offerings. UHI is also committed to the development of the other contemporary indigenous languages of Scots, Orcadian and Shetlandic. Orkney and Shetland have a distinct Norse heritage and boast an amazing wealth of Neolithic sites and Orkney College offers a unique post-graduate diploma and MA in Archaeological Practice.

Studying the big outdoors

Famed for its evocative mountain ranges and fragile peatland areas, the Highlands and Islands also boasts one of the most varied marine eco-systems in the world – hundreds of islands and over half of Britain's entire coastline are found within its boundaries. Accordingly, UHI offers unrivalled opportunities to study and carry out research in such subjects as Marine Science, Fisheries Science and Technology, Fish Farm Production Management, Aboriculture and Forestry. The area, with its spectacular scenery, is of course a major tourist destination and courses that help sustain this invaluable strand to the economy are also offered including Tourism, Hospitality, Gamekeeping, Golf and Equestrian Management and Professional Cookery.

Blowing in the wind

The people of the Highlands and Islands of course have vocational interests like anyone anywhere, so in addition to the more specialised courses touched on above UHI offers everything from Civil Engineering through Fine Art and Social Sciences to Hairdressing and Salon Organisation. The hairstyles in the Highlands and Islands these days are very cosmopolitan! Only in some areas it's prudent to take account of the wind.

Gaidhlig

*Follow the links to find out more about these colleges:
Highland Theological College, Dingwall
Highland Psychiatric Research Foundation, Inverness
For all other colleges visit www.uhi.ac.uk