The University of the Highlands and Islands has announced details of a free, public seminar series.
Abigail Taylor
The online events, which are part of the university partnership’s tenth birthday celebrations, will explore how key sectors can contribute to the region’s post-COVID recovery.
Named after the Gaelic word for ‘leading’, the ‘A’ stiùireadh’ series will feature a range of panellists and cover topics including education, health and the marine economy.
The series will begin on 31st March 2021 with a look back at the development of the university partnership and the impact it has had on the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.
Speakers in the ‘communities and economy’ discussion will include the new University of the Highlands and Islands Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Todd Walker, and the former Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Fraser.
Other speakers involved in the program are Charlotte Wright, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Florence Jansen, President of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association and James Ellsmoor, an expert in island sustainability and the university’s alumnus of the year for 2020.
The seminar programme will run until the summer, starting on 31st March 2021 and finishing on 10th June 2021.
Topics in the discussion groups consist of ‘Leading the blue economy’ and ‘Leading rural health’ as well as others.
The list of events and sign up sheets can be found at the universities website.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is supporting the series and several staff members will be joining the panels.
Chief Executive, Charlotte Wright said: “In achieving successful economic recovery, the University of the Highlands and Islands has a crucial role in responding to new economic opportunities, providing an education and research offer linked to different industries and strengthening the region’s workforce and communities.
Our strategic partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands network has grown stronger every year and we very much look forward to working with them to make these webinars a success for our region’s businesses.”
Speaking about the series, the university’s new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Todd Walker, said: “The University of the Highlands and Islands partnership was created to have a transformational impact on the prospects of our region. We aim to attract and nurture talent in our region, helping to reverse population decline and build innovation and socio-economic prosperity.
“Along with colleagues in public, private and third sector organisations, we have a vital role to play in supporting our region’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our tenth birthday seminar series offers us an exciting opportunity to explore how our key sectors can work together to support the communities we serve.”
To find out more about and to sign up to the events, visit www.uhi.ac.uk/events.
