Scotland’s first crowd funded scholarship programme launched by the University of the Highlands and Islands

The University of the Highlands and Islands has launched Scotland’s first crowd funded scholarship programme with the aim of encouraging and supporting local talent and securing the area’s future economy.

The University of the Highlands and Islands Scholarship Fund, which was announced today at the SCDI Influencers’ Dinner, is appealing to companies and individuals across the region, and beyond, to help it reach an initial goal of £100,000. Support will be matched to students who need help in realising their potential through further and higher education.

The University is keen to encourage more young people to remain in education, realise their goals, explore new opportunities and help them prepare for employment. The new scholarship fund will help address any barriers that exist and support talented individuals in the region.

The Scholarship Fund will support a wide range of students across the Highlands and Islands with opportunities in a broad range of sectors including energy, engineering and the environment, health and wellbeing, archaeology, history, music and culture as well as IT, business, leisure and tourism, and many more.

As the only university based in the Highlands and Islands delivering both college and university level education, the University of the Highlands and Islands aims to significantly contribute to the economy of the area as well as improve the cultural, health and social wellbeing of the community. The integration of further and higher education allows students to progress from school to vocational, undergraduate, masters and PhD courses and provides employers with a single point of access for post-school education and training.

Clive Mulholland, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “The Scholarship Fund is a great opportunity for businesses to connect to the university and invest in future talent. This is a unique chance for companies of all sizes and sectors to come together and be part of something new and different in the region – their support will have a transformational impact on the lives of many students, creating a ripple effect into the local economy in coming years.”

Businesses and individuals can invest in their local university and in talent to help transform lives and businesses through the UHI Scholarship Fund. More information is available at www.development.uhi.ac.uk