A SHETLAND-based academic has travelled to Canada to share his expertise in the discipline of island studies. Dr Andrew Jennings (51) from Scalloway set off earlier this week for a visit to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, off the east coast of Canada’s mainland.
A programme leader for the University of the Highlands and Islands MLitt island studies, Dr Jennings will attend a conference on building community resilience, deliver seminars to staff and students at the University of Prince Edward Island and forge links between the institutions during his three week stay.
The universities already have a memorandum of understanding to foster collaborative relationships which benefit their students, communities and researchers and they are now working on an agreement to encourage student exchanges.
Dr Jennings’ trip was organised following an international conference on island studies which was held in Orkney in June.
Organised by Réseau d’Excellence des Territoires Insulaires, a federation of island universities with a common interest in island issues, the event attracted 70 delegates from around the world.
Speaking about his visit, Dr Andrew Jennings said: “It’s a great opportunity to experience the University of Prince Edward Island and learn more about their well respected island studies programme. It’s important that island based university staff learn from each other, develop close links and work together in the future for the benefit of islanders.”
Dr Jim Randall, chair of the University of Prince Edward Island’s Institute of Island Studies and coordinator of its MA island studies, added: “The UPEI has a long history of hosting experts in the field of island issues from around the world. We are pleased to add Dr Jennings to that list and look forward to the role he will play in working with our students, faculty and community organisations.”
The University of the Highlands and Islands MLitt island studies is a one-year full-time master’s level programme which allows students to compare island communities across the world in a number of ways, from governance and economics to culture, language, identity and politics. It is delivered by the Centre for Nordic Studies which is based at Shetland College UHI and Orkney College UHI.
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