The principals of two universities in the north and north-east have teamed up with one of their peers from Edinburgh to find new ways to support economic development in Orkney.
Professors Ferdinand von Prondzynski of Robert Gordon University (RGU), Clive Mulholland of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and Richard Williams of Heriot-Watt University spent two days on the islands this week.
They discussed new opportunities for partnerships with key players including Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
In Stromness, the trio visited the site of the planned Orkney research and innovation campus and base for Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Island Technologies. They also toured the Pier Arts Centre, Maeshowe Visitor Centre and Orkney College UHI, and met representatives of the European Marine Energy Centre and organisations involved in community planning.
Professor von Prondzynski said: “Orkney has enormous opportunities to be a beacon of innovation that can attract global attention in selected themes, and we will work closely with the . . . . council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and our partner universities to help make this happen.”
Professor Mulholland added: “We welcome the opportunity to explore how we can strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones to contribute to local and regional development.”
HIE said it was a “great opportunity” to showcase Orkney’s renewable energy and other sectors, and to demonstrate the potential for increased university activity on the islands.