2020 Round Up
It’s definitely a year that none of us will forget – for the good, and for the more challenging times. However, it wasn’t all bad, so let’s take a trip down memory lane with our much-anticipated yearly round up 😊
Our students impressed in a unique partnership competition
Food Studies and Hospitality students took part in a unique competition run by Sodexo, one of the world's largest multinational corporations.
The only competition of its kind in Scotland, the students were asked to demonstrate skills and creativity in a number of tasks, including: scone-making, knife skills, canapes and cupcakes.
The students were awarded certificates and medals and by industry judges including David Ward, Executive Chef with Sodexo Scotland.
Ian Gibb, Hospitality Sector Manager, said: “This competition allowed our students to demonstrate the hard work and perseverance they are putting into learning the skills needed for their future career.
“Perth College UHI has a unique, sector-leading partnership with Sodexo, as our students work alongside Sodexo staff in the College’s Food Court, allowing them to get hands-on skills and real experience of what it’s like to work in a busy kitchen and restaurant environment. This means our students are ready to be a valuable addition to the workforce of any employers in the industry.”
Our Accounting students raised funds for Guide Dogs Scotland
The class were invited to meet, and name, one of the guide dog puppies they supported. They decided on the name, Lexi.
Lecturer, Kirsty Cassells, said: “The 2017/18 NC Accounting students held a fundraiser on campus for Guide Dogs Scotland, which was a roaring success. They raised nearly £900 on the day, and won an award for best student-led event of that year.
“Lexi came into college to meet the students involved, along with his puppy walker and Deirdre McVean from the Perth branch of Guide Dogs Scotland, who supported the students in their organisation of the event. We all thoroughly enjoyed meeting him and hearing of his progress.”
We welcomed, Maree Todd - Minister for Children and Young People
Ms Todd shared the Scottish Government’s plans for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion with HNC Childhood Practice students, both in Perth College UHI and by video conferencing across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership.
She discussed the aspirations for the early years provision, and requirements for training and qualified staff. She then welcomed a wide range of questions from students across the Highlands and Islands, before enjoying a tour of the campus.
Life as we knew it changed, and face-to-face teaching was suspended
All 14 principals of the University of the Highlands partnership coordinated a response to the coronavirus pandemic. The wellbeing of students, staff and visitors, to our many campuses across the university partnership, was our main priority. During the unprecedented times, we were planning carefully to ensure students could continue their studies - including examination arrangements, with as little disruption as possible.
We donated protective equipment (PPE)
Staff from departments, including: Motor Vehicle; Construction; Estates; Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy; and the Nursery, gathered all their Personal Protective Equipment and donated it to Perth & Kinross Council care workers. There were twelve bin bags, amounting to thousands of gloves and hundreds of aprons and masks.
In addition, the Creative Industries department sent Perth & Kinross Council a ‘hybrid mask’ design for use in their 3D printers.
Catherine Etri, Associate Principal, said: “As a key part of our local community, we are doing everything we can to help people stay as healthy as possible. We were happy to hand over as much protective equipment as we had available, in order to help the frontline staff who are doing an amazing job at keeping our communities safe.”
We supported key workers, with a drive-through testing facility on our campus
The mobile testing centre was situated in the Brahan car park, and came as part of the UK Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS and other key workers.
Principal, Dr Margaret Cook, said: “We are happy to play our part in fighting this international health crisis by hosting the drive-through coronavirus testing facility at our campus. Many of our students and staff are undertaking key worker roles at this time and it’s great to see an increase in testing being implemented to support people’s valuable work.”
Our staff entertained us from their homes 😊
Watch their life in lockdown 📹
Kathryn Lyneborg from Business and Accounting
Shirley Simpson from Food Studies and Hospitality
Wendy Young from Sport and Fitness
Michael Nicolson from Food Studies and Hospitality
Nick Green from Audio Engineering and Theatre Arts
John Dare from the Library
Former Sport and Fitness student, Pavlina Pajorova
Callum McCormick from Health and Social Care
Kirsty Cassells from Business and Accounting
Get creative in the kitchen 😋
Mallow truffles and fifteen cake with Rhona
Scones with Lynn
Pakoras with Clive
Spatchcock chicken with Clive
Cookies with Stewart
Quesadilla with Clive
Fitness and food with Gemma
Nutrition with Gemma
Irish tea loaf with Rhona
Breakfast potato rosti with Clive
Gin and garnishes with Rhona
Choux pastry with Lynn
Carrot cake with Shirley
Pork schnitzel with Clive
We held our first Online Open Week
This allowed ‘virtual visitors’ a new way to find out about courses available in the new 2020 academic term.
Dr Margaret Cook, Principal, explained: “Everyone’s world has been turned upside down with the coronavirus pandemic. Studying at Perth College UHI provides the perfect opportunity to learn through a fully- supported online learning environment, and students can stay locally. There are great progression opportunities, with many courses going up to honours degree level.
“We take great pride in offering a full range of support services to assist our student community in completing their course and setting them up for a strong future, despite these uncertain times.”
Sam got us talking…
Having kept us engaged and inspired since April, Sam Monie – from our Student Engagement Team - finished his final vlog, ahead of the summer break. Sam’s vlogs provided a much-needed friendly face for our students during the pandemic.
Our Food Studies and Hospitality lecturers were back with more tasty recipes, to keep us going during the summer break
Fakeaway chicken fried rice with Rhona
Fakeaway salt and pepper chicken with Shirley
Fakeaway pulled pork and healthy slaw with Clive
Healthier pavlovas with Lynn
We supported care home residents to connect with their loved ones
The WEEE Centre (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre) - based at Perth College UHI - donated refurbished laptops to residents at Viewlands House Care Home, to allow elderly residents the opportunity to stay in contact with their families during lockdown, as well as allowing access medical care.
Sarah-Jane Urquhart, Perth College UHI National Training Programmes and Employability Manager, said: “COVID-19 has certainly changed the way we communicate and socialise and we were delighted to support the residents at Viewlands House, through the Tech Device Network project. The technology that we were able to donate, will allow residents a vital connection to their family members – as well as having significant benefits for their wellbeing.”
Staff, students and clubs were recognised in the HISA student awards
Psychology lecturer, Dr Claire Taylor, was Highly Commended in the Best Personal Academic Tutor/Learning Support title in the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) awards.
Claire was praised for her commitment to helping support her students, with one student commenting: “She has always been more than helpful and quick to respond. The environment is very challenging, yet she is always positive, encouraging and helpful.”
We launched a COVID-19 Student Support Fund
Thanks to support from the Perth College UHI Development Trust, the fund provided assistance for our students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
The pandemic has left many students in severe financial difficulty. Many have lost their jobs and, because they are full-time students, they were unable to apply for universal credit - leaving them struggling to pay for their rent and food. Others did not have the necessary equipment to work from home, and could not afford to buy essential technology. The COVID-19 Student Support Fund provided funding up to £500 to assist with essential support.
Our Centre for Mountain Studies celebrated 20 years of shaping global mountain knowledge
Established at Perth College UHI in 2000, the objective was to create a centre of excellence for work in mountain areas within the emerging University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Centre for Mountain Studies has enjoyed a number of highlights since its inception. Notably, the centre’s unique online MSc in Sustainable Mountain Development has attracted over 100 students - over half from Scotland, and the others from across the UK and Europe, as well as North America and Africa. Recognition of the innovative nature of this course was a key reason for the designation of the first UNESCO Chair in Scotland - in Sustainable Mountain Development – in 2009.
Hear more from Centre for Mountain Studies Director, Professor Martin Price >>
Our Student of the Year was commended for his professional approach
Michael Duthie was named as the University of the Highlands and Islands Undergraduate Student of the Year Award 2020 for Perth College UHI, for his determined approach to his studies.
Michael completed a BA in Childhood Practice. Debbie Corbett, Michael’s Personal Academic Tutor, nominated him for the award and explained: “Michael began his academic career with Perth College UHI in 2012, when he began with the NC Early Education and Childcare. Michael followed on to complete his HNC Early Education and Childcare, which secured him a post as an Early Years Practitioner within the baby room of a local nursery in Perth. Michael embraced this role supporting, children, families and staff and mentoring other college students on placement. Michael has been an exceptional example of helping to change the gender stereotype of such a role – this is commendable in an industry where there is a considerable imbalance in terms of gender within professional roles.”
Read more about Michael’s achievement >>
Sporting Blues Award Recognition
The University of the Highlands and Islands and the Highlands and Islands’ Students Association (HISA) recognised Ben Leitch, a Perth College UHI student, with a Sporting Blues Award.
The ‘Sporting Blues’ Awards acknowledge the sporting excellence of the university’s students and alumni and is a joint initiative between the university and HISA. The ‘Honorary Blues’ are awarded to athletes connected with the University who have made outstanding contributions to Scottish, British or world sport.
Speaking about his award, Ben, said: “I fell in love with wheelchair basketball after I had my left tibia removed due to a rare bone cancer. After I struggled to keep up with the other players in normal basketball, I was then introduced to this sport.
“Wheelchair basketball shares most of the rules with normal basketball, including the heights of the baskets and the court markings. I’m just away to begin my HND Fitness, Health and Exercise and am delighted to be recognised for my achievements within sport. I have been honoured to play for not only Scotland but for Great Britain. Throughout the past year, I have been able to represent various Clubs as different levels within the sport which has allowed me to have great team and individual success. I am currently working as a Tier 1 Academy Athlete with a goal being invoked in the 2024 Paralympic Games as well as the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
We saw early partnership success in Iceland
An innovative new partnership with the University of Akureyri (UNAK), in north-eastern Iceland, brought more than twenty new students to study with us - as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Icelandic students will study on the Masters in Business Administration (MBA, Executive), through an initiative being piloted to promote wider access to higher education in Northern territories and to strengthen employability of students in Iceland’s changing economy.
Students wins award for her Perth community work
Bethany Paterson, from the Moving On course, was awarded the Path Skillz Young Person of the Year accolade at this year’s Paths for All Volunteer Awards for being an integral part of a team clearing the Old Gallows Road to Huntingtower path, on the west side of Perth.
Bethany’s lecturer, Caroline Cowe, said: “The Moving On course is designed for young people requiring support while facing challenging transitions. As part of the course, we worked towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award and got involved with Paths for All.
“There was a rural walkway nearby that we cleared up. It took a lot of planning beforehand to see how to do it correctly. In a group of between six and eight we cut it all down and tidied the whole thing up.
“What was great for the young people, was the fact that dog walkers who know the path would comment on how much better it looked every time they walked past. This was really rewarding for the young people because they felt like they were really making a difference.”
Read more about how Bethany’s inspired her peers >>
We contributed £113 million to the Perth and Kinross economy
An independent economic impact assessment report was commissioned to assess the economic impact of Perth College UHI in 2019. It found that the college contributed £113 million and supported 1,250 jobs throughout Perth and Kinross.
It was carried out by Biggar Economics to evaluate the national and regional contribution made by the University of the Highlands and Islands and academic partners as it approaches its tenth anniversary. Perth College UHI became part of the University in 2010.
In 2019, Perth College UHI had 530 members of staff, 8,400 student enrolments across its further and higher education courses (of which 3,757 are full-time) and an annual income of £28 million.
We supported students, learning remotely, with the distribution of essential digital technology devices
The College’s teaching is currently being delivered through blended learning combining video conferencing, online technologies, real-time support from lecturers and local staff and limited face-to-face teaching, to significantly reduce the number of people on campus at any one time.
Catherine Etri, Associate Principal, explained: “The Senior Management Team agreed to the purchase of equipment to manage the anticipated demand using Scottish Government funds and College resources.
“We recognised that our students’ progress would depend on their access to digital technology, and we responded to this need, with over 700 laptop devices distributed across our academic areas. The health and safety of our students and staff remains of paramount importance at all times, whilst continuing to provide quality learning opportunities and support services.
“A vital aspect of this support is ensuring students have access to the tools they need to fulfil their learning ambitions and we are continuing to bid for additional funding to purchase additional laptops.”
Student, María Luisa Martín Cabrera - who received a laptop - added: “I would like to thank Perth College UHI for the great help they have offered by lending me a computer. My own computer didn´t work since the summer and my course takes place online. Thanks to my PAT, Jacquie Clark, we managed to have a computer two weeks ago and I appreciate the support in these difficult times.”
The show went on, in support of Worlds Aids Day
Our Contemporary Art Practice and Visual Communication students made sure that they marked World Aids Day with an exhibition, despite the Covid restrictions. Usually, they host an exhibition at the Perth Concert Hall - but this year, the annual event had to be adapted so that it was Covid safe.
Simon Reekie, BA Art and Contemporary Practices Programme Leader, explained: “This is our tenth annual exhibition for World Aids Day and this year the students have adapted wonderfully to the situation we currently find ourselves in. The exhibition will be taking place on Instagram, showcasing a wide variety of work including paintings, posters, digital work, sculptures, drawings and video.”
As part of their ‘Exhibition of Contemporary Artform’ class, Contemporary Art Practice students are also involved in marketing and documenting the exhibition.
Anne Marie Barnett, HND Contemporary Art student, explained: “The similarities with Coronavirus has made this year's World Aids Day project especially relevant.” June Harris, HND Contemporary Art student, added: “Art documents the issues - we all hope sense provides the solutions.”
Helen Roger, Visual Communications Course Leader, said: “Over the past few months, we have seen countless examples of Visual Communication in use: designers coming together to use their graphic design, engineering, digital, manufacturing, and urban space skills to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. This HIV awareness project also explores ‘widespread and subliminal’ impact of Visual Communication on health and wellbeing. Our HND Visual Communications students have once again engaged with World Aids Day and created designs that can be a force for change.”
