Isles councillors concerned by UHI online tuition move

Western Isles councillors have raised concerns about some University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) courses moving to online-only tuition.

Some members of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said the decision made by UHI North, West and Hebrides could have negative impacts on local students, jobs and economy.

Stornoway South councillor Frances Murray said online learning had been important during the Covid pandemic, but should now only be used as an additional tool or in emergencies.

UHI North, West and Highlands said it understood the concerns, but added that more than 80% of its further education courses were taught face-to-face on campus, in schools or outdoor locations.

Western Isles councillors at a meeting of the full council agreed to ask its officials to report back on potential impacts of the move, which involves a UHI Nat 5 and Highers programme..

Ms Murray told BBC Naidheachdan: "If staff are able to provide an online course there is no need for them to be based here.

"If we are going to lose posts from here, and that's families leaving, then that it is really very worrying."

UHI North, West and Hebrides principal Lydia Rohmer said "only a few" courses had moved to online following the completion of a curriculum review.

She said: "We were able to protect all of our provision at all levels, but were able to make some efficiencies.

"In terms of online development it is only a very few courses that were moved online in order to increase access beyond those particular places where they were delivered previously."

UHI North, West and Hebrides is Scotland's newest college.

It was created by merging colleges in north Highland, west Highland and Western Isles.

It has about 9,000 students, 600 staff and 19 campus and is part of the UHI network.

The college serves an area larger than Wales and communities on about 40% of Scotland's coastline.