Organisational structure

The UHI Foundation, representing community, institutional, staff and student interests with a mainly consultative role. The Foundation is chaired by the Rector, elected by an electoral college representative of the community, staff and students. The staff and student constituencies are drawn more widely than those involved in elections to the formal governing bodies, reflecting the objective of UHI to be wholly inclusive where legislation and practice allow. The Foundation must be formally consulted and its agreement obtained before any resolution is adopted to change the constitution, admit new academic partners or revoke the academic partnership agreement with any academic partner.

The UHI Board of Governors, limited to twenty five members in accordance with the recommendations of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, with a majority of independent members, a group of members drawn from academic partners elected by the Forum, academic staff, support staff and student members. The Board will conduct itself according to ‘Nolan’ principles. Seven of the thirteen independent members are appointed by the Foundation, reflecting the communities which UHI serves. The remaining six are appointed by the Board of Governors. The Board is the governing body of the institution with all the powers and duties normally associated with the governing body of a higher education institution. The Board elects its Chair and Vice-Chair from among the independent members. Terms of office are limited in accordance with best practice in governance. The Board will appoint appropriate committees including Finance, Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees.

The UHI Academic Council, consisting of all the academic leaders of the academic partners plus elected academic staff and students and co-opted external advisers. The Academic Council, which is responsible to the Board of Governors and chaired by the UHI Principal, is responsible for approval of the higher education curriculum, promotion of research, academic standards and quality assurance, appointment of examiners and other functions normally associated with an Academic Board or Senate.

Committees
The highest academic authority for higher education in UHI is the Academic Council. It devolves detailed responsibility to its committees to undertake the detailed consideration and development of policies and strategies in relation to academic standards and quality, learning and teaching, research, staff development, quality enhance and academic planning (joint responsibility with Executive Board). For more information see:

•  Academic council and committees
•  Executive board - terms of reference (PDF - opens in new window)
  
• Audit committee - terms of reference (under review)
  
• Finance and General Purposes committee - terms of reference (PDF - opens in new window)
• Nominations committee - terms of reference (PDF - opens in new window)