Oban’s university town showcase a success
The Oban as a University Town project was showcased at an event in the Corran Halls last Thursday. Students from Ballet West dance school, one of four higher education campuses in the Oban area, entertained an audience of almost 300 people. Ten project partners involved with education and developing the local economy and cultural life introduced the project, which they hope will engage the public in shaping the future of Oban.
THE OBAN as a University Town project was successfully introduced at an event in the Corran Halls on Thursday that attracted nearly 300 people throughout the day.
Ten project partners involved with education and developing economy and cultural life in the Oban area introduced the project, which they hope will engage the public with shaping the future of Oban.
The project, which was established in August 2017, builds on the principle that Oban is already a university town, as it is home to more than 800 further and higher education students who currently attend four higher education campuses in the Oban area.
These are Ballet West dance school, Oban High’s School of Traditional Music, the Argyll College UHI and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS UHI), who are both partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands. A number of medical students also come to Lorn and Islands Hospital for practical learning.
Throughout the day, P6 and P7 pupils from Appin, Barcaldine, Dalmally, Dunbeg, Lochnell and Park primary schools took part in workshops organised by SAMS UHI. The aim was to show youngsters some of the disciplines they could be studying in Oban in years to come.
There are many opportunities within the Oban area to expand industries such as fishing, marine science, tourism, aquaculture and clean energy in the future, and the project hopes to nurture the next generation of scientists, designers and engineers to fill the new jobs being created.
Kirsty Blainey, P6 teacher at Park Primary School, said: ‘The kids are having a great time, learning new skills and meeting lots of interesting people. They will have a real choice in the future where they want to study.
‘When I left Oban High, I had to go away to attend uni. The opportunities for current pupils are getting better all the time, making life in a rural community such as Oban much more attractive.’
Oban High’s School of Traditional Music performed during the day and into the evening, as did the Ballet West, with Argyll College UHI students providing a celebratory buffet.
Although the beast from the east snowstorms prevented Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, and Brendan O’Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute, from attending, the event went ahead as planned.
Mr O’Hara managed to speak via video link. He said: ‘I am passionate about this ambitious university town project. It will bring many benefits not just to this town but to all of Argyll and Bute.
‘Argyll and Bute has much to offer to future industries such as marine science, tourism, aquaculture, fishing and clean energy. But to succeed we need to create the scientists, designers and engineers to fill the high value, highly skilled jobs. That’s why employers and businesses must be involved in the development of the university town so the curriculum responds to industrial needs.’
First up to speak in the evening was Councillor Elaine Robertson on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council. She said: ‘Today’s launch of Oban as a University Town is a hugely significant event for this area, and one which has been worked on by a dedicated team over the past few years.
‘I am passionate about this area and believe Oban is an ideal setting, offering a quality of life, and a range of experiences which are easily available in this rural area. Perhaps I might be considered to be a little biased but then I should be!’
Peter Bain, head teacher of Oban High, also supported the project, saying: ‘It is thanks in particular to Argyll College UHI that Oban High School can offer our youngsters one of the broadest curriculum in Scotland.
‘Together we strive to give all children in the high school the opportunity to develop their particular talents and interests preparing them for apprenticeships, further and higher education.’
The official launch in the early evening was overseen by project manager Iain Gatwood and hosted by Professor Donald Maclean, who chairs the project partnership. Prof MacLean thanked organisers and all those who attended the event. He said: ‘We hope that we continue to benefit from the continued involvement of many people throughout the project, and make this a special development for Oban and surrounding areas.’