University of the Highlands and Islands’ second principal and vice-chancellor takes up post

Professor Clive Mulholland has taken up his post as the second principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Professor Mulholland joins the university from the University of South Wales where he was deputy vice-chancellor (research & student experience).

A biomedical scientist, with expertise in clinical biochemistry and online learning, Professor Mulholland has held positions in the scientific civil service and in the NHS, as well as the universities sector.

Professor Mulholland said: “I am delighted to be joining the University of the Highlands and Islands at an exciting time of its development.  I’m looking forward to leading the university as a progressive innovative institution with a strong sense of purpose and direction. I want to extend and develop the potential across the region to deliver an excellent student experience, to build on our areas of research strength and to support the cultural and economic needs of the Highlands and Islands.

“And, as a partnership delivering both college and university level education, I hope I can bring my experience of further and higher education, technology enhanced learning, research and the enhancement of the student experience to support the strategic goals of our unique partnership.

“I am looking forward to working with our partners to deliver an exemplar distributed institution for 21st century learners across our region and beyond.

“Universities contribute significant economic benefits to their regions, but that is not all they deliver. They also impact on the cultural, health and social wellbeing of their communities. I believe that the University of the Highlands and Islands is in a fantastic position to contribute in this way – not only to the region, but also nationally and internationally.”

Professor Mulholland is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and he is a Chartered Scientist. He has previously held appointments at The University of Ulster, Queens University Belfast, Swansea University, the NHS, and the Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland.

He is a native of Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Professor Mulholland replaces James Fraser who retired at the end of December 2013.