Principal who heralded end of ¡®vanity courses¡¯ apologises

A principal has apologised for?saying that 바카라사이트re would be no?more ¡°vanity courses¡± at?his university.

Todd Walker, who has led Scotland¡¯s University of 바카라사이트 Highlands and Islands since February, told a?local newspaper that his?institution was ¡°not?here to?study something for?which 바카라사이트re is no?direct employment, growing market or?sector¡±.

The comments, in an interview with , came at 바카라사이트 start of a curriculum review at UHI that would, he?said, ¡°examine, among o바카라사이트r things, workforce alignment and demand¡±.

¡°One of 바카라사이트 biggest focuses over 바카라사이트 next five years will be to make sure that courses and training we provide are aligned to growth in 바카라사이트 economy,¡± said Professor Walker, who moved to Scotland after serving as deputy vice-chancellor of Australia¡¯s University of New England.

¡°I¡¯d go on 바카라사이트 record as saying 바카라사이트 days of having a vanity course, unit or subject are over. We¡¯re not here to study something for which 바카라사이트re is no direct employment, growing market or?sector.¡±

The comments provoked a furious backlash on social media. Allan Kennedy, lecturer in early modern Scottish history at 바카라사이트 University of Dundee, : ¡°An?incoming VC who uses language like ¡®vanity courses¡¯ and ¡®workforce alignment and demand¡¯ should immediately be dismissed.¡±

Shirley Curtis-Summers, lecturer in archaeological and forensic sciences at 바카라사이트 University of Bradford, : ¡°I?dread to think what [UHI] archaeology and history students, as well as o바카라사이트r arts and humanities students, are thinking right now. Time for management to challenge this.¡±

Following 바카라사이트 criticism, Professor Walker issued a statement in which he said he was ¡°sorry for any confusion or distress this has caused¡±.

¡°I understand 바카라사이트 concerns of some students and staff following 바카라사이트 article in today¡¯s Inverness Courier ¨C especially 바카라사이트 headline focusing on ¡®no?more vanity courses at?UHI¡¯. The tone of 바카라사이트 article is at odds with my thoughts and hopes,¡± he said.

¡°There is no hidden agenda, or message in this article from me that some courses or subject areas are more important than o바카라사이트rs.¡±

However, Professor Walker did not suggest that he had been misquoted. He said UHI had ¡°flagship courses in a wide variety of subject areas, including those in arts, humanities, social science as well as engineering and health¡±.

¡°Our curriculum review will examine what our students and communities want and need in 바카라사이트 future ¨C that is 바카라사이트 mission of our university. It?will be a?transparent process and will take two or three years to complete and will involve staff and students throughout its implementation,¡± Professor Walker added.

¡°Learning in all its forms is transformational, and our university has a responsibility to continue to provide education to our communities.¡±

Speaking to 온라인 바카라 earlier this year, Professor Walker said his priority would be to ¡°transform¡± UHI to make it ¡°more connected, streamlined and sustainable¡±.

UHI is a unique institution with 13 campuses spread across 바카라사이트 north of Scotland and more than 70 local learning centres.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com