Consultation launched on plans to merge North Highland College UHI with West Highland and Western Isles colleges
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Proposals which would see University of the Highlands and Islands facilities in Ross-shire, Caithness and Sutherland. Lochaber and the Western Isles come together in a new college for the north have been set out in a detailed consultation document.
If approved, North Highland College UHI, which has campuses in Alness, Dornoch, Thurso and Halkirk, would combine with West Highland College UHI, which has learning centres from Ullapool to Kilchoan instead of a central campus, and Lews Castle College UHI, which serves students throughout the Western Isles.
The aim is to have the new institution in place by January 2023.
The merger plans, which could involve 9000 students and around 600 staff, follow a detailed options appraisal earlier this year.
The consultation document, Building a Better Future Together, has been shared with stakeholders and sets out the vision for the merger as well as providing details on how people can have their say on the plans.
A dedicated website has also been launched at www.rural-islands-merger.uhi.ac.uk
In a joint statement, the principals of the three colleges, Lydia Rohmer, Debbie Murray and Sue Macfarlane said: “Our ambitious plans will bring together our three organisations to form a new college based on a partnership of equals.
“We are confident this proposal is the best way forward to benefit our students, our staff, our partnerships and our communities,
“By building a better future together we can deliver on our ambition to support local, regional, national and international opportunities.”
The document sets out the ambition and guiding principles for the merger, giving reasons why a merger is considered to be the right way forward for the three colleges and the communities and region they serve, as well as the anticipated impact on stakeholders, including businesses and local employers.
It also provides details on how to provide feedback on the proposal.
In their introduction to the consultation document, the chairmen of the three colleges, Robbie Rowantree from North Highland UHI, Archie Macdonald of Lews Castle UHI and West Highland UHI's Derek Lewis write: "Through the merger of Lews Castle, North Highland and West Highland UHI colleges, we will be able to pool expertise, resources and our extensive networks to develop a single college of scale that can fuel economic growth and renewal in a unique way for our region whilst preserving local focus and provision in each of our communities and ensuring we connect them beyond national boundaries."
The new college will remain within the university network which has 12 institutions across the Highlands and Islands and further consultation will be carried out to decide on the name of the new institution.
A merger partnership board has been formed which consists of the principals and board chairs of the three colleges, along with staff and student representatives.
It is chaired by former Highland Council leader Dr Michael Foxley, who served as the university’s regional lead for Further Education between 2014-2021.
The principals’ statement continued: “Given the transformational change envisaged to deliver this proposed merger, we are fully committed to a transparent and inclusive consultation process.
“We want as many people as possible to get in touch and let us know their thoughts on the proposals.”
Last week it was confirmed the merger would not result in any direct job losses, the colleges would retain their local identities, and any savings identified would be reinvested to strengthen teams at all levels to enable innovation and leadership.
