UHI is seeking business collaboration to attract and keep talent in the Highlands and Islands
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Business leaders from across the region attended a talk at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Health Science, last week.
Organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with UHI, the talk was led by vice-principal of engagement at UHI Dr Jen Vanderhoven.
As the main higher and further education body in the Highlands and Islands, UHI seeks to be a world leading university.
It is also coming up with bold new ways to connect student education with sustainable professions.
Dr Vanderhoven said: “We need to encourage people to come live, study and work here.
"Evidence shows that where your post code is effects your opportunity to access education and careers.
"We have high numbers of outward migration in the region.
"To attract, retain and train talented people we need to work together to enable access to education and employment opportunities that they deserve."
UHI are calling on businesses to help invest in the next generation, by: offering student scholarships; supporting researchers to tackle pressing local and global issues; and providing world class education at all levels across partnerships.
Dr Vanderhoven said: “At UHI, people are at the heart of what we do. People are our region's most valuable resource.
“People grow our economy, teach the next generation, build our communities, and make our region the place it is.
“With business support, we aim to provide the opportunities that we need to sustain our communities, drive our businesses, and grow our economy.
“We aim to ensure that everyone has access to education regardless of their personal circumstances, and that our local communities can connect with research programmes which are globally important, but have a direct impact on our region's unique culture, heritage and economy.”
Businesses can collaborate with UHI by co-creating and collaborating with research innovation, mentoring students, getting help to commercialise products, leading guest lectures, providing work placements and taking part in focus groups about the curriculum being provided at the university.
UHI is already working in partnership with organisations such as Lifescan, where students are able to both work and study simultaneously.
This is providing the pathway for young people to earn a wage and gain the skills they need at the same time.
Nicola Thomas, global head of talent management at Lifescan said: “What young people bring to us is energy, passion and new ideas.
“We’ve got two apprentices with us today, who are furthering their development by doing their degrees at UHI.
“We need to think about how we can keep talent in the Highlands.
“We can use UHI to attract talent, and showcase careers that are out there.”
With investment from local businesses UHI can ensure that there is a skilled and resourceful workforce who have the opportunity to thrive and desire to stay in the region.
For more information visit: www.uhi.ac.uk/en/giving/
