A Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation (SCSLI) event titled ‘Think Differently: Bringing Quality to Life’ was held recently at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus as part of World Quality Week.
Earlier this year FVC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SCSLI to work in partnership to deliver high-quality skills, training and learning opportunities in Scotland and beyond. The recent event held on Thursday 13 November from 10am-4pm in the Kildean Suite, brought together educators, industry leaders, and student voices to explore how thinking differently can lead to real, measurable improvements in teaching, skills, leadership, and collaboration.
The day featured keynote speeches, roundtables, and interactive sessions, culminating in the official launch of the Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning & Innovation.
Keynote speakers included: Dr Anton Tabone, Founder and Chairman, Med.TV, Malta and Poonam Gupta, OBE, CEO, PG Paper, and FVC’s Head of Commerical Training and Delivery Zak Stark delivered a speech around quality and FVC’s recent BP Mauritania and Senegal National Apprentice Technician Training GTA Programme project.
Prof. Dr Alaa Garad, Founding Partner, Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation, said: “A big thank you to everyone who attended, the event was a great success — and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Your dedication, constant support, and presence made all of us feel at home. I truly appreciate your commitment and the spirit you brought to the occasion. With this cheerful and positive attitude, I believe we can achieve so much together. I’m already preparing for our next joint project and will share details with you soon.”
Zak Stark, Head of Commercial Training and Delivery, said: “I was honoured to be invited as a keynote speaker, especially as the event was such an important milestone for the Stirling Centre. The opportunity to share our work, particularly the BP Mauritania and Senegal project, alongside such respected leaders in quality and innovation, was a real privilege. The day offered extremely valuable networking opportunities and strengthened connections across education and industry. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Stirling Centre and with Prof. Dr Alaa Garad as we work together to drive forward excellence in skills, learning, and innovation.”
Jamie Allan, Jamie Allan, Global Partnership Manager of Forth Valley College, said: “Professor Garad has been a joy to work with and is truly committed to honouring the MoU we recently signed between our institutions. Although I wasn’t able to be there on the day, it was an honour to be asked to host such an important event at our beautiful Stirling Campus and I’m extremely grateful to my colleague Zak Stark for stepping in to present a fantastic case study, which exemplifies the highest levels of collaborative working and training quality with key global partners – values which Professor Garad shares, and which drive his laser focus on progressing joint opportunities between SCSLI and FVC across the world. I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store!”
The collaboration between FVC and SCSLI aims to focus on:
- Developing innovative curricula that reflect industry needs and emerging sectors
- Making the best use of shared assets, expertise and networks
- Creating transformative skills, training and learning experiences
- Securing funding to support sustainable partnership growth
- Building joint projects, research and applied learning initiatives
In addition, both institutions will work together to further promote Scotland as a destination for business tourism, transformational travel, academic and professional programmes, applied research, student recruitment, internships and work placements.
SCSLI is a global hub dedicated to equipping individuals, organisations, and nations with the insight and capability to navigate complexity with confidence and is rooted in Scotland’s proud tradition of bold discovery and foresight, it focuses on four interconnected pillars: Strategic Learning, Innovation, Futures & Foresight, and Business Excellence.
Through a unique blend of consultancy, executive and academic education, and leadership development, the Centre translates knowledge into meaningful action. Flagship programmes include the MSc in Strategic Learning and Innovation, the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Excellence and the Certified Organisational Learning Professional (COLP), all designed to prepare leaders and professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Centre’s global credibility is reflected in its partnerships: it is a Gold Member of the British Quality Foundation, a member of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce and part of the Scottish International Development Alliance. It co-publishes the International Journal of Strategy and Organisational Learning (IJSOL) and is the custodian of the world’s first international BSI score-based standard on Organisational Learning. Its ethos is captured in the Gaelic motto: “Gluais gu misneachail!” (“Move forward with confidence!”).
The signing of this MoU builds on Forth Valley College’s growing reputation for international partnerships, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Scotland’s ambitions for skills, education and economic growth. For more information visit www.stirlingcentre.org.uk
