The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will boast record numbers of students and generate an estimated £22.5 million into the economy after the Scottish Government invested £5.5 million to fund 1,000 additional places.
The extra places were created as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure every 16 to 19 year old in Scotland has a place in learning or education.
The economic value has been evidenced by an independent report showing that every £1 invested in UHI returns £4 to the Scottish economy.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said:
“UHI is able to offer world class facilities to every student that takes up a place of study in the North of Scotland.
“As our newest institution, it is exciting, vibrant and forward thinking. It is also priceless for the economic development of the north.
“We have funded an additional 1,000 places through the Scottish Funding Council at UHI and with every pound spent on UHI generating a return of four times that amount for the Scottish economy. This is clearly money well spent.
“And that is before the students even graduate. With an excellent qualification, UHI students will be in an excellent position to take their place at the heart of Scotland’s economy in the coming years.
“With places still available for Scottish students at UHI and other universities, students in the clearing system still have a number of study options without needing to look elsewhere.”
This is certainly good news - a cause for rejoicing in these hills of the north! So, let's sing our theme song!
Hills of the North, rejoice;
River and mountain spring,
Hark to the advent voice;
Valley and lowland, sing;
Though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
He judgment brings and victory.
Isles of the southern seas,
Deep in your coral caves
Pent be each warring breeze,
Lulled be your restless waves:
He comes to reign with boundless sway,
And makes your wastes His great highway.
Lands of the East, awake,
Soon shall your sons be free;
The sleep of ages break,
And rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and gray,
Has dawned the everlasting day.
Shores of the utmost West,
Ye that have waited long,
Unvisited, unblest,
Break forth to swelling song;
High raise the note, that Jesus died,
Yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.
Shout, while ye journey home;
Songs be in every mouth;
Lo, from the North we come,
From East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free,
We come to live and reign in thee!
Well this concludes our survey of the Highest University in the Land. On Monday we shall come down to earth - when we shall be visiting my back garden!
No comments:
Post a Comment