UHI Moray - our year in highlights
As we draw a close to the 2023-2024 academic year, we are taking the time to look back and share some of our favourite moments.
Summer 2023
Last summer various departments on campus supported the Career Ready programme 4 weeklong paid internship. Giving young people of school age the opportunity to prepare for work this programme also includes a 2-year mentorship. This mentorship is provided by our Marketing and Communications Advisor, Emma, having previously been overseen by Jackie Andrews, Head of Academic Partnerships.
We also welcomed six unaccompanied refugee minors who took part in a Life in Scotland programme aimed at helping them settle into life in Scotland.
August
In August a local favourite came to campus. The Little Lunch Box. The Little Lunch Box started catering the Refectory at both the Moray Street and Linkwood Technology Centre campuses and providing the catering for events hosted within our AGBCentre.
Our Student Services and IT teams also upgraded our Library over summer 2023 to get ready for our students starting their courses including, new self service kiosk, docking stations and more.
September
In September we held our annual Construction Prize Giving Ceremony to celebrate our construction students for their extraordinary efforts during their studies. Congratulations all our students including Top Craft Apprentice Marion Stewart from G&A Barnie group who took home four awards. A huge thank you to our employers, sponsors and guest speaker Graeme Day Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Veterans. Other highlights included:
- Supporting Pride in Moray
- Freshers Fayre
- Sponsoring the Moray Secondary School Golf Championships by Active Schools and Sport in Moray
October
October can only mean one thing, our Graduation and Celebration of Success and Achievement! We joined you in celebrating the work you have achieved in finishing your studies. Also who can forget the amazing speech by our 2023 James Smith Award winner Jonathan Lester Heady.
November
In November we welcomed our Active Campus Co-ordinator Jack who supports our staff and students by delivering various activities with the aim of having a healthier campus.
Our Employability Team celebrated the achievements of our Supporting New Scots programme. The programme, which was funded by Scottish Refugee Council, supported displaced refugees primarily from Ukraine to integrate into their new lives here in Moray and find training and/or employment.
Celebrations were also in the air for our marketing team who away the Commended award at the College Development Network's College Awards 2023. Shortlisted for the Marketing and Communications Campaign of the Year, the team was nominated for their Feature Weeks campaign which showcased everything about our subject area using a variety of tools including video, blogs, case studies and course and career information over 18 weeks.
December
Our campuses got into the festive spirit by hosting a range of events and activities for our local community including:
- Community Festive Gathering
- SFL Xmas Fayre and Coffee Morning
- Amnesty International Write for Rights
- HBCT Student Christmas Salons
- Beechtree Christmas Lunches
- Staff Xmas Mingle
February
We joined our UHI Moray partners in signing the Scottish LGBTI+ Rainbow Mark. Learn more > UHI Moray signs up to Scottish LGBTI+ Rainbow Mark during LGBT History Month
March
March saw the most Northern Game Jam in the UK, Moray Game Jam, return for its 7th year. Over 48 hours video and board game enthusiasts created, designed and developed their very own video and boards games before showing them off to the world... by world we mean our local community right here in Moray at the Gaming Playground.
Our Science and the Environment teams joined up with DYW Moray and other partners to host STEM Week, welcoming pupils from across Moray onto campus for a week of activities.
April
On the 25th April we had a wonderful night celebrating the ever inspiring finalists and winners at this years' Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards. All the nominees showcased just how wonderful, inspiring and aspirational our community is and with around 15000 people voting, how thankful we are to have them.
May
In May we were delighted to be the official partner of MacMoray Easter Festival 2024. By partnering with MacMoray Festivals our students had the opportunity to take part in an exclusive and unique work experience to learn and understand the complexity and fun of running an event behind the scenes and backstage.
We were also blown away by our Performing Arts students end of year performances. It was incredible to witness such a professional and bonded cast, directed and staged by our lecturers, Fraser and Garry.
June
We were delighted to hear from the Scottish Funding Council that we have once again out-performed the national average, with an achievement rate of 66.8% for full-time students in 2022/23 against a national average in Scotland of 63.6%. Thank you and well done to our students and staff. Other highlights included:
- AGBC 10 years:
- Moray Blue Lights
- An evening with Danilo Giangreco
- Nursery Graduation
Other highlights:
Art exhibitions and awards:
- In June our students studying the UAL: Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Art and Design showcased artwork across a wide range of disciplines and mediums
- In April our 3rd year Fine Art degree students exhibited their work following a three-year accumulation of expertise in an exhibition named "Being Here"
- In June our final year BA (Hons) Fine Art students displayed their creative talents at the Degree Show, with many students receive prestigious awards
Construction apprentice successes including Danny McBean Worldskills announcement: We are delighted that our award-winning construction department are continuing to defend their title with a further series of competition wins.
Throughout the year our Hospitality department have been supporting the Europa Mini Cooks programme, we are the first Scottish Branch of the programme which aims to introduce young children between the ages of 10 - 12 to cooking, techniques and the importance of using local, seasonal produce.
Employability courses: Our employability team ran a variety of courses to support people to get back into employment.
Research Projects: This year has seen our lecturers and students across Hospitality, Computing and Digital Media, Social Science and Hairdressing departments getting involved in projects through Innovation Vouchers, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Just Transition.