Council supports new Manager's post to progress Highland Science Academy

27th June 2014

Highland Councillors have approved £20,000 funding towards the appointment of a Project Manager to spearhead the establishment of a Highland Science Academy on the new Inverness Campus at Beechwood.

The new post will be responsible for taking forward an action plan to progress the Science Academy project over a 2 year period.

An £80,000 budget for the post will also be supported by the Council's partners: the University of the Highlands and Islands; Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland

Chair of the Highland Science Academy Leadership Board, Councillor Drew Hendry - Leader of The Highland Council said: "I am delighted that we are supporting the creation of this key role to take forward the Highland Science Academy action plan. This is a very important milestone in this innovative public-private partnership project that will lead the way in developing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Highland and the rest of Scotland."

He added: "This is a real opportunity for us across the Highlands to take advantage of all the opportunities which will be there for our young people in the Highlands. The Highland Science Academy and newly announced outreach programme allows us to look at the vision for the growth of the science, technology and engineering sectors to create jobs and to ensure our young people are equipped to grasp the opportunities for future employment as they go through their education."

Highland Council members welcomed the findings of a consultant's report into the options for the establishment of a Highland Science Academy which included a detailed action plan and recommendation to appoint a project manager to deliver the plan.