2019 round up
2019 was a busy year at Perth College UHI - take a trip down memory lane with our yearly round up!
We launched our new Aviation Academy
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, announced a further £50m investment in the Tayside region when she visited Perth College UHI in January. The investment was following on from the Scottish Government’s £150m commitment to the Tay Cities Region Deal. The Aviation Academy will provide specialist training and skills to the global growth industries of aviation, emerging clean technologies and low carbon transport sectors.
Find out more: http://bit.ly/2PJLJZL
Happy Perth, Healthy You
Twenty of our HNC Coaching and Developing Sport students – alongside four Sport and Fitness Ambassadors – worked together to organise and co-ordinate a health event for school pupils from across the community. Over 200 pupils enjoyed a range of activities including: inflatable activities, fitness challenges, bouldering and inclusive activities (Boccia and Kurling). http://bit.ly/2WD6QhY
Students graduated from their Aircraft Maintenance course
A graduation ceremony held in March celebrated students completing the Air Service Training (AST) EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licensing Course. The class studied for approximately two years and completed an eight-week industrial placement at aviation companies including Loganair, British Airways Maintenance Glasgow, Ryanair and Sloane Helicopters.
A Kenyan alumnus shared his inspiring story with students
A former student returned to Perth to share his inspiring success story with his lecturers and current students. Collins Oywera came from Kenya in 2001 to study at Perth College UHI through sponsorship from the Gloag Foundation, which has funded 17 students since 2001.
He studied for three years, graduating with a BSc Computing, and now has a flourishing career in Kenya. Welcomed back to the college by Veronica Lynch, Vice Principal – External Engagement, current computing students heard how - through hard work and determination - Collins progressed through his career to become Chief Executive Officer of a children’s education and welfare charity.
UK team trailed new ultra-endurance air vehicle
A group of UK experts successfully flew the first ever large-scale aircraft powered by variable-buoyancy propulsion. The Phoenix is designed to repeatedly transition from being lighter than air to being heavier than air so thrust is generated to propel the craft forward.
The team behind the ultra-long endurance autonomous aircraft, includes representatives from academia and industry. Andrew Rae, our Professor of Engineering, led the design of the aeroplane.
Find out more about the prototype aeroplane that could revolutionise the telecommunications industry à http://bit.ly/2qpbNyE
Our students got a taste of the big time
Talented Perth College UHI chefs of the future showcased their skills as they served up a ‘Celebration of Skills’ dinner to invited VIPs and industry heads.
The showcase dinner marked the culmination of a unique Craft Skills Week mentored by leading Executive Chef David Ward and sponsored by global food and beverage management services employer Sodexo.
Find out more about the student’s experience: http://bit.ly/30bnfeU
FA pupils were recognised at a special event
A group of talented sixth-year Perthshire pupils gained their Foundation Apprenticeship qualification ahead of their exam results. The special event was attended by representatives from AVIVA, Stagecoach and Agile Cadence – who kindly provided work placements for the first cohort of Business Skills apprentices. The school pupils gained industry-recognised qualifications through work placements in the financial services, transport and computer technology industries.
One of our Professional Chef Gold Award students competed in the final of a prestigious hotel award
Heather Paul took part in a prestigious award created to nurture emerging talents within Scotland’s hospitality community.
The Gibby Culinary Scholarship was created by the Gleneagles Hotel in 2010 in memory of Head Chef Alan Gibb. Supported by HIT Scotland, and the Federation of Chefs, Heather was runner-up in the competition. She was evaluated on a one-to-one interview, a written assessment and a skills test in knife precision.
Heather said:
“It was a great experience being part of this award final. It was nerve-wracking and the standard of cooking was incredible, but it’s all good experience for my future career. The learning opportunities at Perth College UHI go above and beyond course and practical work, we gain so much knowledge by taking part in industry-relevant experiences such as this.”
The annual OBI Awards took place
Over 110 ‘Outstanding, Best and Inspiring’ students and staff were recognised and celebrated at an awards ceremony led by the Highlands and Islands Student’ Association (HISA) Perth.
Awards presented were: Most Inspiring Student; Best Class Representative; Most Inspiring Lecturer; Best Personal Academic Tutor; Award for Outstanding Support; Award for Outstanding Learning Centre Staff; Award for Outstanding Feedback and Learner Support; Award for Outstanding Dissertation or Research Supervisor; Best Club or Society; and Best Student-Led Event.
Our library closed for an exciting renovation
Kathleen Connor, Perth College UHI Library Team Leader, explained what changes had taken place during the summer closure:
“Our library has been modernised and is a learning environment that supports many styles of learning. We renovated the library to create an attractive learning environment with new lighting installed throughout and the layout designed to maximise natural light. There is new furniture creating more study spaces while the new PCs and laptops are faster and more reliable. There is also now a self-issue machine to save students time queuing when borrowing or returning books. Finally, we have also replaced the carpets throughout which have given the library a new look and feel.
“This custom built, modern space houses over 30,000 books, journals and multimedia items, as well as access to a huge variety of electronic resources. The library facilities and services are ready to meet the needs of our students, helping them to achieve successful results on their chosen programme of study, and we hope they enjoy the refreshed appearance.”
Outstanding achievement was recognised at our Prizegiving Ceremony
Over 90 students received prizes in honour of their exceptional success in further education learning from Perth College UHI Principal, Dr Margaret Cook and Keynote Speaker Nicola Martin, business owner of Red String Ltd and SmallCityBigPersonality.co.uk.
Margaret said:
"Our Prizegiving Ceremony celebrates the achievements of our outstanding students and rewards them for their commitment in their chosen programme of study. We have learned many fascinating stories of our student’s journeys and all of our prize winners here today deserve to be commended for their hard work.
“Our students have been supported by their families, friends and by the staff of the college who have encouraged them to achieve to their highest level. Many have also been supported by employers and sponsors and our thanks go to everyone who has provided this level of support. I wish our prize winner’s congratulations and all the very best for the future.”
Engineering students helped to develop the oil industry
Two Perth College UHI students presented their project findings to an oil and gas operator in the UK North Sea to help solve the problem of emptying the remaining oil out of underwater oil storage tanks.
Qian Tang and Kirsty Gow, studying Mechanical and Energy Engineering, presented to TAQA - an energy company based in the North East of Scotland. Each tank can hold the equivalent of 69 buses and Qian and Kirsty analysed the project and proposed a solution to squeeze the last of the oil out, as they are no longer required for storage.
Find out more about the project à http://bit.ly/36AdQkl
Two Perth College UHI apprentices topped a national plumbing competition
Shaun McTavish and Kyle McGeoghie, both third year apprentices, took home the top awards at the SNIPEF SkillPLUMB competition. Shaun took the top prize in the lead competition and Kyle in the copper competition.
Gordon Nisbet, Plumbing and Gas Lecturer at Perth College UHI, was thrilled with the results.
“We are very proud of the way Kyle and Shaun conducted themselves during the competition. The work they produced was to a very high standard and they both were worthy winners. They’re very good ambassadors for Perth College UHI and their respective employers.”
Fiona Hodgson, SNIPEF CEO said,
“Our apprentices have demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of skills at this year’s SkillPLUMB competition, and we are honoured to showcase the high quality of apprentice training in Scotland. The apprentices’ skills are a credit to the lecturers who teach them so well, the employers who take them under their wing, and most importantly to themselves for showing such determination to become the best they can be at their chosen trade.”
A mental health workshop supported the student experience
A workshop supporting mental health was held at Perth College UHI. Funded and delivered through PLUS Perth, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) supports individuals to protect and improve their mental wellbeing.
Karen Downs - Skills for Life, Learning and Employment Sector Manager - said:
“Our students will benefit from the knowledge and experiences of staff who took part in this very useful and informative training, enhancing their experience.”
Young students benefited from the DofE Diamond Fund
Perth College UHI received a grant from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s (DofE) Diamond fund to support students to complete a DofE expedition.
Karen Downs - Perth College UHI Skills for Life, Learning and Employment Sector Manager - said:
“We are grateful for the grant, which meant we were able to provide Moving On and New Skills students with waterproof clothing, walking boots and other expedition essentials. This gave more of our young students the opportunity to undertake the expedition sections at Loch Leven and Meggernie Outdoor Centre to complete their DofE Award, which may not otherwise have been open to them. The students developed transferable skills including communication and confidence, by participating in team work, keeping fit and experiencing the great outdoors.”
We welcomed South African visitors to the campus
The Centre for Mountain Studies - a University of the Highlands and Islands research centre, based at Perth College UHI - welcomed visitors from South Africa to the campus. The group met to discuss a joint doctoral programme with the University of the Highlands and Islands for staff at their respective universities.
We invited donors to see the investment at the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing
The group of donors were invited to a showcase event demonstrating the success of the multi-million pound facility.
Officially opened in 2017 by Scotland's Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, the ASW provides learning and teaching space for sport and fitness, hairdressing, and beauty therapy courses. In addition, there are gym suites, a weight lifting area, a fitness studio, a six-court sports hall and Scotland's newest indoor Climbing Centre.
Fiona Leslie, Perth College UHI Development Trust Manager, said:
“This event gave donors and friends of Perth College UHI the opportunity to see for themselves how successful the ASW is and how it is proving to be a fantastic facility for students, staff and the local community. It is going from strength to strength, becoming a centre for major international sporting events and rising gym memberships.
“Our ‘Ball in the Wall campaign’ helped raised over £165,000 to equip the centre and we wanted to thank donors for their generous support.”
We were shortlisted for a sustainability award
Our Sport and Fitness team were shortlisted for three Green Gown Awards 2019 for their innovative projects. The initiatives include ‘intergenerational physical activity projects in care homes’; ‘increasing employability in the outdoor sports sector’; and a schools/college partnership programme - Passport to Sport.
Qian Tang was awarded a prize from The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Perth College UHI student, Qian, was awarded an IET Prize for gaining the highest marks in her BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Energy Engineering degree. The prize is awarded to outstanding students who are completing a course of study accredited by the IET. As part of her win, Qian will receive a certificate and two years free membership of the IET.
Qian said:
"I couldn't have done this without the support of my parents, I will always be indebted to them, and I will always remember someone saying that I would only get out of it what I put into it."
Our students cooked up a storm at Perthshire on a Plate
It was fantastic to see our Food Studies and Hospitality students working alongside Phil Vickery TV at the Perth Show for Perthshire On A Plate!
Ian Gibb, Sector Manager for Food Studies and Hospitality at Perth College UHI, said: "Our students have been helping both behind the scenes and on stage at POAP since the food festival first launched in 2010. Their food preparation, cookery management and delivery support to all the showcase chefs have been hugely rewarding for the students. Many have secured work placements and full-time employment with the chefs they work with."
The memory of former student Liam Colgan lived on
A new memorial fund was established by the family of Liam Colgan, a former graduate of Perth College UHI.
The Liam Colgan Fund created two annual awards for music students at the University of the Highlands and Islands. The Liam Colgan Song Writing Award and The Liam Colgan Music Production Award will provide students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their song writing and performing skills and keep Liam’s music alive.
Liam, from Inverness, began his musical studies in 2006 receiving an HNC in music at North Highland College UHI Alness campus. He went on to gain a BA (Hons) in Popular Musical Performance at Perth College UHI in 2010.
Liam was just 29 when he tragically went missing in Hamburg in the early hours of 10 February 2018 whilst on his brother Eamonn’s stag weekend. Eamonn and his friends launched a multinational publicity campaign to help find Liam. However, efforts sadly proved to be in vain and Liam’s body was recovered from the river Elbe on 23 April 2018.
Students captured St John’s Kirk bells after nearly fifty years
Music and audio engineering students and staff at Perth College UHI used their skills to produce a digital recording of St John’s Kirk of Perth Carillion. As part of a digital heritage project, it was the first time since the seventies that Perth’s largest musical instrument has been recorded.
Find out more à http://bit.ly/2NnrPlV
We welcomed the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science to the campus
Richard Lochhead was welcomed to the campus by Perth College UHI Principal, Dr Margaret Cook, where he toured the campus - taking in the Home Economics, Motor Vehicle and Language School. Mr Lochhead also considered a number of topics with college staff, focusing on successful partnership working and the continuous emphasis of improving the student experience - including through greater industry engagement and projects such as the Aviation Academy for Scotland, part of the Tay Cities Deal.
A special guest attended our Graduation Ceremony
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, congratulated over 320 Perth graduates at this year’s prestigious Perth College UHI graduation ceremony.
The Perth College UHI graduates and award winners, together with friends and family, enjoyed a warm congratulation on their achievements and an address by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal - before being presented with their degrees, diplomas, certificates and awards.
Our sports injury clinic opened its doors for the first time
The clinic is staffed by four qualified sports therapists who can provide appropriate support to people who are involved in sport – whether at professional, amateur or recreational level and help them avoid injury, treat injury and plan and provide appropriate post-injury rehabilitation.
The facility is housed in the College’s Academy of Sport and Wellbeing (ASW) which provides modern training facilities for students studying Sport and Fitness, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy courses. Opened in 2016, the ASW offers leisure, gym and climbing facilities open to staff, students and the general public.
We were honoured to get course accreditation from the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA)
The University of the Highlands and Islands is the first university in Scotland to receive the accreditation. The two programmes BA (hons) in Music Business and BA (hons) in Popular Music are delivered at Perth College UHI and have been running for seven years.
The SMIA exists to represent and develop the Scottish music industry. As part of Creative Scotland’s Regular Funding Network, the organisation is tasked with delivering a pioneering innovation-led development programme to help nurture business talent and build infrastructure in Scotland’s music industry.
Our Language School is the best in Scotland!
The Perth College UHI Language School achieved the accolade of the highest placed British Council Accredited language school in Scotland in the 2019 rankings.
The inspection covers up to 15 areas, including: teaching; student administration; care of students; and course design. Teaching staff are observed; interviews undertaken with staff and student focus groups; administration and welfare staff have their processes rigorously inspected; and physical environment of the college is assessed.
Margaret Cook, Perth College UHI Principal, said: “We’re delighted that our Language School student journey has been recognised as excellent from start to finish. The inspection covers everything and demonstrates the hard work that our staff put in to ensure the international students we welcome are exceptionally well-treated.
“British Council Accreditation gives students the confidence that they have chosen a language school which will give them a good all-round experience. Accreditation is set to current industry standards and changes with the times, so our delivery has to constantly evolve to keep up with this.”
We got our first campus cycling officer
Lewis Melloy, a former Perth College UHI sports student who graduated with a BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness, secured a full-time placement at Perth College UHI until April 2020 – thanks to funding support from Transport Scotland, supported by Cycling Scotland.
Lewis has a remit to look at how to improve and enhance the College’s cycle provision and encourage more members of staff and students to pedal to their place of work and study.
Our students benefited from industry links
At our award-winning Gallery Restaurant, our students met with their benefactors for a scholarship lunch.
Scholarships are awarded on merit to reward dedicated students, helping them achieve their full potential. A number of awards were recently introduced for students from care-experienced backgrounds who benefitted from additional support.
Dr Margaret Cook, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “Winning a scholarship is a great personal achievement for our students and gives them a huge confidence boost. By providing a scholarship, local employers can strengthen their relationship with the workforce of the future.”
Find out more about our scholarships, and see pictures of the lunch, here >>
Our student won a national motor industry competition
Claire Mcfarlane, a level 5/6 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles student from Dunfermline, won an industry ‘bonnet spraying’ competition in Glasgow – and was the only female who made it to the final!
The competition was run by the Scottish Motor Trade Association, in association with the Institute of the Motor Industry. The design brief requested participants’ design should have a distinctively Scottish theme and demonstrate the skills, abilities and techniques gained during training.
Kyle won silver at a national plumbing competition
After successfully winning the Scottish heat in June, third year student – Kyle McGeoghie - went on to win silver at the UK SkillPLUMB final held at the NEC in Birmingham.
The event this year tasked the eight finalists with installing and designing an unvented hot water plumbing and heating system with dimensional tolerances of two millimetres, a World Skills standard.
This is the fourth time in seven years that one of Perth College UHI’s plumbing students has qualified for the UK SkillPLUMB final.
We sang Christmas songs and ate mince pies!
To finish off the year on a high, our Musical Theatre department led a festive sing along session in the Union-Link for staff and students. The selection of Christmas songs was led by lecturer, Victoria Rice.
