Opportunities for learning through Highland Third Sector Interface and University of the Highlands and Islands agreement

The Highland Third Sector Interface and the University of Highlands and Islands have formally recognised the importance of collaboration between the two bodies to ensure the skills and people are in place to ensure the future development of the third sector in the Highlands of Scotland.

Signing a ‘memorandum of understanding’ yesterday (Tuesday 6 May) the organisation which represents voluntary and community groups and the university  have pledged to collaborate and co-operate, and also ensure relevant funders, users and communities are involved.

Garry Sutherland, chairman of Highland Third Sector Interface said: “The Interface is excited by the opportunity that this agreement marks.  We are committed to ensuring good links between the sector and learning and development opportunities.  This is the first sort of this type of agreement that we have had the opportunity to engage with in Highlands and I think that really underlines the support for the sector from within the university.  We hope that future opportunities might arise to learn from this model and replicate it where appropriate.”

Many key areas for collaboration and opportunity exist across volunteering and staff development, both in creating the right training and education infrastructure and in promoting innovation and research.

Dr Crichton Lang, acting principal and vice-chancellor explained: “The university is delighted to sign this agreement with the Highland Third Sector Interface. Our university partnership is rooted in our communities providing both college and degree level education and beyond. It is absolutely fitting that our aspirations to serve these communities are formalised in agreements like this. So where there are common goals, we should work together to achieve them.”