One of Scotland’s leading higher
education institutions is to expand its presence in the Highlands and Islands
it was confirmed today (Wednesday 7 January).
education institutions is to expand its presence in the Highlands and Islands
it was confirmed today (Wednesday 7 January).
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is
joining forces with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
to make a wide range of teaching and research opportunities available to
students, businesses and communities from across the region.
joining forces with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
to make a wide range of teaching and research opportunities available to
students, businesses and communities from across the region.
The move will strengthen the region’s
growing reputation for creativity, innovation and expanding use of digital
technology; crucial factors that HIE believes will underpin sustainable
economic and community development in the coming years.
growing reputation for creativity, innovation and expanding use of digital
technology; crucial factors that HIE believes will underpin sustainable
economic and community development in the coming years.
The two organisations are already partners
in GSA’s Institute of Design Innovation (InDI) at the Enterprise Park
Forres. Set up with HIE support in 2010,
InDI has been particularly active in the field of digital health research.
in GSA’s Institute of Design Innovation (InDI) at the Enterprise Park
Forres. Set up with HIE support in 2010,
InDI has been particularly active in the field of digital health research.
Now HIE and GSA plan to expand on the
present model with anticipated investment of up to £10 million over the next
four years. This will create a wide-ranging programme providing new
opportunities for students and will help deliver HIE’s economic and community
development priorities.
present model with anticipated investment of up to £10 million over the next
four years. This will create a wide-ranging programme providing new
opportunities for students and will help deliver HIE’s economic and community
development priorities.
The partnership will directly support
an estimated 20 new jobs and sustain a further 10 existing posts to deliver the
new research and teaching programmes and services to businesses, social
enterprises and communities throughout the region.
an estimated 20 new jobs and sustain a further 10 existing posts to deliver the
new research and teaching programmes and services to businesses, social
enterprises and communities throughout the region.
The expansion of collaboration between
Scotland’s leading architectural, art and design school and HIE has been
welcomed by the Scottish Government.
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance,
Constitution and Economy, said:
Scotland’s leading architectural, art and design school and HIE has been
welcomed by the Scottish Government.
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance,
Constitution and Economy, said:
“The Glasgow School of Art has an
incredible international reputation, and this latest joint venture with
Highlands and Islands Enterprise will build on an already successful
partnership that has delivered employment and learning opportunities in the
Highlands through the Institute of Design Innovation.
incredible international reputation, and this latest joint venture with
Highlands and Islands Enterprise will build on an already successful
partnership that has delivered employment and learning opportunities in the
Highlands through the Institute of Design Innovation.
“Not only will this substantial
investment open up new opportunities for students in the Highlands and Islands,
it will also allow local businesses and social enterprises to draw on the GSA’s
substantial expertise, thereby contributing to economic growth in the region.”
investment open up new opportunities for students in the Highlands and Islands,
it will also allow local businesses and social enterprises to draw on the GSA’s
substantial expertise, thereby contributing to economic growth in the region.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise chief
executive Alex Paterson said the initiative underlined the importance of
creativity, innovation and design as drivers of Scotland’s economic
development.
executive Alex Paterson said the initiative underlined the importance of
creativity, innovation and design as drivers of Scotland’s economic
development.
He added: “Universities make a huge
contribution to the success of major economies throughout the world, and this
expansion of the GSA’s activities will deliver a number of valuable outcomes
for our region.
contribution to the success of major economies throughout the world, and this
expansion of the GSA’s activities will deliver a number of valuable outcomes
for our region.
“As well as introducing local access to
a range of academic subjects which complement those being delivered by the
other universities operating here, the GSA’s key strengths in innovation,
digital technology and applying creativity and cutting edge design will support
the expansion of important growth sectors, including creative industries and life
sciences.
a range of academic subjects which complement those being delivered by the
other universities operating here, the GSA’s key strengths in innovation,
digital technology and applying creativity and cutting edge design will support
the expansion of important growth sectors, including creative industries and life
sciences.
“It also opens up opportunities for
communities in our fragile areas to tap into the GSA’s expertise to help
develop creative ideas to improve rural resilience – for instance through
developing traditional and cultural assets.”
communities in our fragile areas to tap into the GSA’s expertise to help
develop creative ideas to improve rural resilience – for instance through
developing traditional and cultural assets.”
Professor Tom Inns, director of The
Glasgow School of Art, said: “The Glasgow School of Art is looking forward to
developing its relationship with Highlands and Islands Enterprise through this
new joint initiative. The new campus will build on the work that has been done
through our Institute of Design Innovation in Forres, including the Digital
Health Institute, and will open up further opportunities for students and
businesses in the Highlands.”
Glasgow School of Art, said: “The Glasgow School of Art is looking forward to
developing its relationship with Highlands and Islands Enterprise through this
new joint initiative. The new campus will build on the work that has been done
through our Institute of Design Innovation in Forres, including the Digital
Health Institute, and will open up further opportunities for students and
businesses in the Highlands.”
Professor Irene McAra-McWilliam, who
has led the development for The Glasgow School of Art, added: “We are delighted
to be building on the success of our partnership with HIE. Our collaboration is
a transformational activity for the Highlands and Islands.
has led the development for The Glasgow School of Art, added: “We are delighted
to be building on the success of our partnership with HIE. Our collaboration is
a transformational activity for the Highlands and Islands.
“It is an opportunity to lead the way
creatively in developing innovative and inclusive models of higher education,
and cultivate the potential of the creative industries in the region especially
the crucial role they play in realising the potential of digital technologies.
In doing so, we will help to unlock and attract creative talent and support for
businesses and communities enabling them to flourish across the region and
globally.
creatively in developing innovative and inclusive models of higher education,
and cultivate the potential of the creative industries in the region especially
the crucial role they play in realising the potential of digital technologies.
In doing so, we will help to unlock and attract creative talent and support for
businesses and communities enabling them to flourish across the region and
globally.
“The Glasgow School of Art is
recognised as one of Scotland’s greatest creative assets. We are delighted to
be part of the fabric of the Highland and Islands, and collectively to make a
difference to how we work, live and study.”
recognised as one of Scotland’s greatest creative assets. We are delighted to
be part of the fabric of the Highland and Islands, and collectively to make a
difference to how we work, live and study.”
ENDS
Further information:
Calum Macfarlane, HIE, 01463 244 244
Lesley Booth, the GSA, 0779 941 4474