Students right back on course at West Highland College UHI
MORE than 400 new and returning students gathered in Fort William last week for the induction of West Highland College UHI.
New honours subjects, marine and coastal tourism and adventure performance and coaching, have proved popular, providing what college principal and chief executive, Lydia Rohmer, called ‘unique and world class’ education.
Satellite centres have also proved popular, with more students choosing to study in Mallaig, Portree and Auchtertyre.
Ms Rohmer said: ‘It is my great pleasure each year to welcome our new cohort of students, whether it is for their first college experience following school, or for more advanced study for undergraduate degrees.
‘For the fifth consecutive year we have increased the range of courses on offer, ranging from access through to degree and masters programmes, and ever-larger numbers of students are responding to the fantastic learning opportunities on offer on their doorstep.
‘Our hugely successful school of adventure studies attracts year on year more learners from Scotland, UK, Europe and beyond to move into the West Highlands, recognising that this is the best place in the UK to study outdoor and adventure sports and tourism.’
It wasn’t all work and no play for the new starts, as a range of fun activities were offered in Fort William’s Nevis Centre, including sumo wrestling, bush tucker trials, treasure hunts and a sculpture-making challenge.
Eleanor Brown, student services manager, said: ‘At West Highland College we try to ensure that all our students enjoy the same learning experience as far as is possible. Due to the geographical spread of our centres we recognise that it is not always practicable for students to attend our inductions in person, so this year we are using web technology to overcome this. A welcome video has been created by our principal and some of the other key induction talks will be available for our students on our website and on social media, so our students can access them from wherever they are located.’