News release – for immediate use
University of the Highlands and Islands contributes to European knowledge sharing
forum
Representatives from the new University of the Highlands and Islands recently joined
delegates from across Europe to take part in the first ever University Collaboration in
Development Spaces (UNICREDS) conference in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The European funded conference was looking at how different models of higher education
can benefit regional economic development.
Representing the Highlands and Islands at the event, was Joe Irvine UHI’s Head of
Knowledge Exchange. Commenting on the importance of the topics discussed, he said:
“This is a very important project exploring the unique issues which remote and rural
communities face and how businesses, the public sector and further and higher education
can work together to have a positive impact on the local economy.”
The findings from the Sofia conference and the related research are expected to be
delivered in June this year as part of the next UNICREDS conference being held at Sabhal
Mòr Ostaig UHI in Skye.
All the regions involved with UNICREDS share similar characteristics relative to the rest of
their countries, such as distance from major cities, population demographics, and reliance on
declining traditional industries. UNICREDS partners share real life experiences and
knowledge of how the challenges of an underperforming economy can be overcome and
how deprived or peripheral regions can be transformed into centres of excellence in
research and innovation.
UNICREDS is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund along with each of
the 15 partners and made possible by the INTERREG IVC programme.
More information is available at www.unicreds.eu
ENDS
UHI media contact:
Charlotte Lever
Knowledge Exchange Events Officer
UHI HI Links
01463 279368
Email: charlotte.lever@uhi.ac.uk
Web: www.hilinks.uhi.ac.uk
For all UNICREDS press enquiries please contact Fresh:
Abby Richardson – 07876 378733 / abby@freshcommunicaiton.co.uk
Matt Sutherland – 01872 262977 / matt@freshcommunication.co.uk
Notes to editors
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) covers the region, including Moray and
Perthshire, in a partnership of 13 partner colleges and research institutions, and a network of
over fifty outreach learning centres.
UHI gained full university status in February 2011, evolving from the higher education
institution UHI Millennium Institute.
There are currently over 8113 students studying on undergraduate and postgraduate
courses or undertaking postgraduate research with UHI.
UHI is the only university based in the Highlands and Islands with a mission to strengthen
and develop the social, economic and cultural prospects of the region.
UHI is a limited company registered in Scotland No. 148203. Scottish charity No. SC022228.
Registered office: 12B, Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5SQ.
UHI is:
Argyll College UHI
Highland Theological College UHI, Dingwall
Inverness College UHI
Lews Castle College UHI, Lewis
Moray College UHI
NAFC Marine Centre UHI, Shetland
North Highland College UHI
Orkney College UHI
Perth College UHI
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, Skye
Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI, Dunstaffnage
Shetland College UHI
West Highland College UHI