‘It’s always been more than a job’ – University Dean’s fond farewell after ‘transformative’ 21 years with UHI
One of the people involved in the “transformative” establishment of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will be moving on to new challenges after the new year.
Dr Iain Morrison – a native of Tain – has lived in Portmahomack for the last 21 years after moving home to play his part in the project to create the institution.
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“At the time, I had returned from a few years lecturing in Athens and I was Principal Lecturer and Head of Department at Southampton Business School,” he explains. “I was aware of a group of people with the vision to create a university in my home region and I took the first opportunity to move north.
“In my first week, I found myself driving to Fort William and being asked to be on the back of a tandem for some marketing event, and from that point I knew UHI was going to be a different experience!”
Such was his passion for the cause, Dr Morrison halved his salary to accept a European-funded post as a community learning manager.
Joining a group of around 25 similarly minded people, his mission was to promote sustainability of local learning centres across the Highlands and Islands.
During his time, the emerging institution went through extensive scrutiny and approval processes from national bodies until finally being granted university title by the Privy Council in 2011.
The title, which is protected by law, meant that UHI would now hold degree awarding powers – meaning that they were authorised to grant, for example, bachelors’ degrees or taught masters’ degrees.
UHI went on to gain responsibility for all further and higher education in the Highlands and Islands in 2014, and research degree awarding powers in 2016.
“I have always been driven to do something special for the people in the Highlands and Islands,” he explains. “Having had no choice but to leave to go to university and then taking 20 years before I could return with my own lovely family.
“I am so proud that people of any age now have a real choice about where they can study.”
In the 13 years since it was awarded university title, UHI has enjoyed numerous and notable successes throughout its development.
A fundamental part of their mission is to drive co-created education and research, while strengthening communities in remote and rural areas and working with employers to provide employment prospects for its students and wider population.
Key recent achievements include 72 per cent of UHI research being recognised as excellent or world leading, very high student satisfaction results, including the best in Scotland for postgraduate study during each of the last three years, and close working relationships with employers and schools in the region.
Described as “a passionate evangelist” for UHI by The Times, Iain’s roles in the developing university encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, including building regional policy and processes for many aspects of the student experience.
He is particularly proud of his role in the creation and support of the Highlands and Islands’ Students Association (HISA).
“The students have kept me young and motivated and are the best part of my job, despite them doing things like waxing my legs and covering me in custard for charity!”
There are less than 20 universities around the world who offer both further and higher education to their communities and UHI has grown to be one of the largest institutions in the Scotland – with around 35,000 students.
This allows multiple pathways for study and skills development and opportunities not only to progress upwards through curriculum levels but also to dip in and out of learning according to someone’s stage of life.
“This has always been more than a job for me,” he adds. “I used to joke that on my death bed aged 134, I could say to my great-great grandchildren that I had played a wee part in the creation of something transformative for the Highlands and islands.
“I am quietly proud of my role but deeply appreciative of the many extraordinary people with whom I have worked in developing and delivering the vision of those early pioneers.”
Dr Morrison’s plan now is to move on to other challenges.
Called upon by other universities nationally and internationally to review aspects of their delivery, he is hoping to apply the knowledge and experience gained from his “unique and hugely enjoyable experience” to help other communities.
He adds: “You won’t catch me on a tandem or having my legs waxed again, though!”
