Public invited to have their say on university’s Gaelic Plan

The University of the Highlands and Islands is launching a public consultation on its proposed new Gaelic Language Plan.

The document sets out how the university intends to continue to promote and develop the use of Gaelic through its practices, communications and curriculum from 2018 to 2022.

Proposals include enhancing Gaelic curriculum, producing more bilingual resources for students, providing training opportunities for employees and increasing the amount of Gaelic in marketing and communication materials.
 
The document is the university’s third Gaelic Language Plan. The university was the first higher education institution in Scotland to produce a Gaelic Language Plan in 2010. Members of the public are being invited to read the new plan and share their thoughts on it during the eight-week consultation.
 
Professor Clive Mulholland, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, said: “Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life. As the only university based in the Highlands and Islands, we are intensely aware of our responsibilities to enhance the status of Gaelic and promote its use through the learning opportunities we provide.
 
“I am proud of our achievements to date, which have seen us increase the visibility and audibility of Gaelic in our services to students, staff and the public, while making opportunities for Gaelic medium and Gaelic language learning more widely available.
 
“We hope our new plan will build on these achievements and demonstrate the university’s continuing commitment to the development and enhancement of Gaelic.
 
“Consultation is an important part of the process, so I would encourage anyone with an interest in the plan to share their views.”
 
The consultation on the University of the Highlands and Islands’ third Gaelic Language Plan 2018 to 2022 will run from Monday 25 June until Monday 20 August.