HRH The Princess Royal to open Shetland College UHI extension

HRH The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, will officially open Shetland College UHI’s new extension on Tuesday 16 September. The £4.5m development, funded by Shetland College UHI with assistance from Shetland Islands Council, European Regional Development Fund and Scottish Funding Council, provides new facilities for students and staff, including video-conferencing suites, an internet café and a new library.

After the opening, HRH will travel to Mareel to preside over the Shetland College UHI Graduation Ceremony and the University of the Highlands and Islands Foundation Day. Over 50 people are expected to graduate and the university will celebrate the endeavours and successes of its students, staff and supporters by presenting honorary awards.

The Graduation and Foundation Day ceremony will be followed by the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Annual Lecture which, this year, will be delivered by Midge Ure, OBE. The Scottish musician, best known for playing in the bands Thin Lizzy and Ultravox and for co-writing 'Do They Know It’s Christmas' with Bob Geldof, will speak about education and the ability to create change. You can book your free place at the lecture though Mareel’s box office.

Irene Peterson, acting principal of Shetland College UHI said: “The students and staff of Shetland College UHI are very much looking forward to welcoming the university's Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, to officially open our new college spaces and to having her preside over our graduation ceremony, joining us in celebrating the successes of our higher education students and a number of our stakeholders. Shetland College UHI is also pleased and proud to be hosting the university's 2014 Annual Lecture and we are delighted to be welcoming well-known musician Midge Ure to present it.”

Professor Clive Mulholland, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “We are excited to be hosting this year’s Foundation Day in collaboration with Shetland College UHI. I look forward to touring the College’s new facilities, to welcoming HRH The Princess Royal and to celebrating the successes of our students, staff and supporters. I’m also delighted that Midge Ure will be delivering this year’s Annual Lecture. As an experienced musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur, I believe his lecture will give an inspiring insight into the transformative power of education.”

Midge Ure OBE said: “It’s an honour to be asked to deliver the 2014 University of the Highlands and Islands lecture, especially on the beautiful island of Shetland. I’ve enjoyed visiting in the past and I hope to see more of the island and its people this time around.”

Councillor Peter Campbell, chairman of Shetland College Board, said: “The investment by Shetland Islands Council in Shetland College UHI is an indication of the Council's strong commitment to high-quality further and higher education in Shetland - and indeed across the Highlands and Islands. The opening of the new extension by HRH The Princess Royal is a wonderful opportunity for Shetland College UHI to showcase its successes and future potential.”

To book your place at the University of the Highlands and Islands Annual Lecture, contact Mareel’s box office in person, by calling 01595 745555 or by visiting www.mareel.org