Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Flexible Delivery Workshop

Models of collaboration: UHI Millennium Institute

David Green. Principal, Lews Castle College Vice Chair, UHI Executive Board

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Pressures to extend HE into remote & rural areas

political – (mass HE, equity & the concept of entitlement);

economic - (perceived benefits for local economies);

social - (retention of population); cultural - (promotion or preservation

of local history, cultures and languages)

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Issues to be addressed

efficiency - (scattered population, small teaching groups);

quality in L&T & R - (multiple locations, small partner institutions, H.E. new to many staff);

access - (distances, remote locations, poor transport & communications);

participation - (no tradition of local HE, excluded groups)

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

UHI approach to these issues

use of ICT to support learning & administration over large distances;

local colleges & learning centres for easier access and local support;

colleges recruit non-traditional learners and bring them into HE;

links with other universities & institutes to develop research

strong staff development and QA policies

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Europe’s last wilderness…

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Population Density

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Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Features of the Highlands & Islands region

huge area with low population low incomes – c75% of EU average peripheral region – 90+ inhabited islands population loss from remoter areas dominance of small/medium enterprises some population growth (20% since

1960s), economic diversification & localised

growth

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Creating a University for the Highlands and Islands

began as a collaborative project 1992 sponsored by regional government &

development agency aims:

- bring HE to a remote area

- regional economic development

- social & cultural development

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

UHI Partnership

14 academic partners– community colleges– specialist colleges– research institutions

>50 learning centres area >40,000 km² >90 inhabited islands students & campuses

linked by ICT

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Progress

approved by the Scottish Parliament as a Higher Education Institution in 2001

granted university-level funding 2004

target for full University title –2007?

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Unique Features

employs no academic staff per se owns no buildings or equipment except

the Executive Office a Partnership/ Joint Venture contractual supply agreements built on existing institutions federal and collegiate in structure close links to local communities innovative networked learning model

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

UHI Students

mainly local full-time 48%, part-time 52% mature (25 years and over) c60% male 46%, female 54% more with non-standard entry

qualifications more from lower socio-economic

groups

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

The UHI learning experience

traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and seminars

flexible/supported/distributed learning:– video and audio conferencing– paper-based materials– web-based materials– e-communications, including net meeting

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

broadband connections between major centres

linked into UK academic network

provides:

- email, internet,VC, telephony

& student data systems

ICT Connectivity

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Academic provision

3 main elements:

a broadly-based curriculum widely available throughout the network

specialist courses and centres short courses tailored to CPD needs

of local employers/professionals

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

UHI research

environmental sciences – international standing developing capabilities in other areas:

– aquaculture and mariculture– rural development– language, culture and migration– archaeology and heritage– bio-medical and health care– renewable energy– nuclear de-commissioning

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Lessons learned (1) : collaboration issues

clarity:- of aims, plans, resources, agreements, targets, responsibilities;

communication:- of information (as above);- with sponsors, staff, students, communities;

consultation:- with stakeholders on issues that affect them

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Lessons learned (2): teaching & research

curriculum development: - check the need

- prioritise the activity- control the budget

research:- identify strengths & opportunities- prioritise areas to focus on- research for some, scholarship for all?

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Lessons learned (3):organisation

design simple, effective structures & processes for development;

modify these to match changing circumstances;

minimise the risk from individuals & institutions – publish agreements & maximise information flow

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Continuing challenges

organisational:- maintaining the partnership;- managing tensions

financial:- cost of delivery across large areas- small teaching groups- maintaining infrastructure

academic:- gaining credibility for an unconventional institution

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Case Study: Rural Development Studies

• RDS was first UHI networked degree, validated by University of Aberdeen (1994)

• Not closely identified with ICT• Modular structure• Inter-disciplinary studies• Variety of learning methods • Variety of assessment instruments• Close links with other degrees

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

How RDS courses are taught

• Face to face

• Paper based

• Telephone tuition

• Email support

• Video-conference link

• Web-based resources

• Net meeting

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Experiences with technology

• Technical problems:– Breakdown– Complexity– CostPeople problems: -inexperience -Fear -Personal touch

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Advantages of mixed format

• Distance and time flexibility• Consistency of learning resources• Subject and student sensitive• Resource used in appropriate context• Allows rapid updating• Provides students with extra skills• Gives students more power

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Lessons for ‘remote’ delivery

• Needs to be responsive

• Needs to be interactive

• Needs to be reliable

• Needs a stable platform

• Needs to be consistent

• Needs to be networked

• Needs to be supported by training

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Case Study conclusions

• A mixed format delivery is best• Optimum mix varies with

module/course/academic level and individual

• Local learning centres help stability• Needs careful management (ac+tech)• Needs staff development (ac+tech)• High or low tech – must be professional