A delegation of Forth Valley College’s Senior Management team took up an invitation to make a reciprocal visit to the University College Isle of Man (UCM) recently (1-3 November).
Principal Dr Ken Thomson, and Associate Principals Andrew Lawson, Colette Filippi and Fiona Brown, travelled to the island’s capital Douglas to tour the university’s facilities and discuss further areas of cooperation.
They were treated to a tour of UCM’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, The Nunnery Business Campus and a full tour of the main campus. The delegation also paid a visit to the island’s largest school – Ballakermeen High School.
Discussions centred on the possibilities of staff exchange visits, management information systems, the possible implementation by UCM of Education Scotland’s Framework for Quality Assurance, estates development and the Continual Professional Development (CPD) of staff.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by FVC’s Principal Dr Ken Thomson and the Hon Tim Crookall MLC, Minister for Education and Children on the Isle of Man, on Wednesday 24 August at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus.
Also visiting the College then as part of a cultural exchange event in Scotland were Professor Ronald Barr, CEO at the Island’s Department of Education and Children, Emma Callin, Arts Development Manager from Community Arts and Jo Pretty, the newly appointed Principal of University College Isle of Man.
FVC Principal, Dr Ken Thomson, said:
“Our visit to University College Isle of Man was very worthwhile and we were delighted to accept the kind invitation from new Principal Jo Pretty. With more than 3,000 students and 350 staff and boasting a wide range of courses up to degree level, UCM have a similar progressive and innovative outlook to Forth Valley College and we are very excited about the areas where we believe we can work together for the benefit of all.”
Jo Pretty, Principal of the University College Isle of Man, said: “The visit provided colleagues from both colleges with an opportunity to discuss and share good practice, identifying many areas for collaboration that can be beneficial to each organisation. It is clear that there are strengths that can be enhanced by working together and senior managers and staff look forward to this over the next few months.”