Chair of further education regional board for the Highlands and Islands takes up post
20th August 2014
Dr Michael Foxley has taken up his post as chair of the University of the Highlands and Islands' new further education regional board.
The Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act makes the University of the Highlands and Islands, through a further education regional board, accountable for all college and university-level education in the Highlands and Islands. This means that from 1 August 2014 the university is responsible for all education in the region after students leave school.
Dr Michael Foxley is a long-time campaigner for improved further and higher education in the West Highlands and is a former chair of Lochaber College and West Highland College UHI. A retired general practitioner, he is also a former leader of The Highland Council, a board member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Highland and a crofter.
"I am delighted to take up this important role as one of 13 regional chairs across Scotland," said Dr Foxley. “Since being appointed as further education regional lead for the Highlands and Islands, I have been working to ensure the colleges who are partners in the University of the Highlands and Islands start to think and plan regionally. I have been working closely with the university’s vice-principal (further education), Mike Devenney, as well as the college chairs and principals to look at our existing curriculum across the region and identify any gaps in provision.
“During the next year the board will also provide a capital plan for further education, from larger works to significant maintenance, which will bid for funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council. I will be making a strong case for an increase in funding for further education in the Highlands and Islands.”
Dr Foxley will join the other 12 regional board chairs to form the new Colleges Scotland Board.
Garry Coutts, chair of the university court explained the importance of the appointment: “The role of the chair of the further education regional board will be vital to ensuring all the colleges which deliver further education in the region, and which form the university partnership, work together to meet the needs of their respective communities as well as those of the wider area.
“Dr Foxley is a fitting candidate for this new post. His wide breadth of experience in further and higher education through his work with West Highland College UHI and his appreciation of the needs of communities in our region will be invaluable to our role as the regional strategic for further and higher education.”
Calum MacPherson, group business development director of Robertson Group and Dr Lisa Massie, a doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh Business School, join Dr Foxley as independent members of the board.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The Highland Council has called a Housing Challenge Summit, designed to bring together all parties from National and Local government and private sector interests, both large and small, from across the fields of energy, housing development and commerce, to focus on the Housing Challenge in Highland. Highland Council declared a Housing Challenge following an event in November 2023 and agreed a number of strategic objectives in June 2024, with the aim of finding solutions to a Highland Housing Challenge.
Aarons of Wick Ltd informed The Highland Council at lunchtime on Friday 4 October that with immediate effect they were unable to continue to operate any school or public service journeys which require a full-size bus. The Council has sourced replacement services from Dunnetts Transport for the Reay - Thurso and Bower – Castletown – Thurso services.
New funding for critical infrastructure projects that will help boost employment, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for Scotland's island communities has been announced by First Minister John Swinney. Ten projects have been awarded a share of the Scottish Government's £3 million 2024/25 Islands Programme Fund.
Council Leaders have (27th September 2024) withdrawn support for the Scottish Government's revised National Care Service Bill. The Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.
A new contract has been awarded to Perthshire's Wyllie Recycling Ltd for the provision of mixed plastic and metal container recycling services and haulage in Highland. This includes plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metals tins, drink cans, aerosols and food and drink cartons which are collected in the new green recycling bins.
The Highland Council is asking any businesses, companies or organisations who are planning to hold any type of market, including Christmas or festive type markets, to contact the Licensing Service to check if they require a market operator's licence. If a licence is required, organisers will have to have applied for, and had this granted, prior to the market taking place.
The Highland Council Trading Standards service is urging motorists to be aware of a recent trend in scam texts aimed at tricking people into thinking they have to act quickly to pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN). The text asks you to pay the PCN which has been issued by "a local Council".
Members at meeting of The Highland Council 919 Septmber2024) agreed a refined strategy and action plan for the Council's approach to Community Wealth Building. The Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.
Following a process of review, including extensive stakeholder engagement, The Highland Council has completed an options appraisal on the future of Thor House in Thurso. The Council can now confirm that it intends to reinstate the property as a short break house for children with disability.
At the Education Committee today (Thursday 12 September 2024) Members agreed to the recommendation to transfer Youth Work and Adult Learning to the Council from High Life Highland. The final contract review report will come to the Committee in November 2024 for consideration.
