UHI explores new operating model to strengthen student experience and ensure financial sustainability
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has announced plans to explore a transformative new operating model designed to enhance the university's ability to deliver on its mission and vision.
As Scotland's tertiary university, UHI encompasses both further and higher education serving the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Perthshire regions.
In line with their Strategic Plan 2030, they are embarking upon a period of change that aims to deliver a more integrated partnership, reflecting their commitment to ‘think, plan, and act as one’. The development of a new operating model also seeks to strengthen financial sustainability while fostering a more cohesive and people-oriented organisational culture.
In addition, UHI will capitalise on economic development opportunities with plans to further establish themselves as an anchor institution with a wide-reaching impact across their regions.
Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said:
“At the heart of any potential change remains UHI’s founding mission which is to have a transformational impact on the people, communities and economy of our regions, underpinned by our values of collaboration, openness, respect and excellence.
“UHI was recently rated 6th in Scotland for undergraduate satisfaction and 1st in Scotland for postgraduate satisfaction for the third year in a row. These are brilliant achievements, and our goal is to ensure our students continue receiving the maximum resources possible to maintain and further strengthen the high standards of teaching, research, and knowledge exchange that define us.
“UHI, like many institutions in Scotland, is facing significant financial challenges due to the current level of funding available to the sector coupled with increased costs and a very competitive recruitment market in further and higher education.
"We are taking a proactive approach that enables us to address these financial challenges while ensuring we continue to attract, nurture, and retain talent within our communities, driving innovation and fostering social and economic prosperity. By leveraging collaboration across the partnership and harnessing our combined strengths, we will enhance our operational efficiency.
“All principals across the partnership, along with other key leaders, have been working together to explore various options to develop an Outline Business Case which marks the start of a potential change for our university partnership. This is still in its early stages and the final structure of the operating model is still being shaped.
“There are several critical steps to take before we can fully understand and implement a new model. This will be a comprehensive, phased process, with numerous opportunities for students, staff, and other stakeholders to provide feedback and insights. Our priority is to ensure they are active co-creators in this transformation, with their voices playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of UHI together.
“A new operating model represents a significant step forward for our partnership. We are excited to embark on this journey towards a more integrated and financially sustainable future and are confident that it will enable us to better serve our students, staff, and communities."