eople from all over the world are being attracted to life on the Orkney Isles.But it is not just for the uniquely good quality of life – the islands have just been named as the best out-of-town place to live in Scotland in the Bank of Scotland Rural Quality of Life Survey.
Students from as far afield as Kazakhstan and Hawaii have been drawn to the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT), Heriot Watt University’s Orkney Campus.
ICIT provides a unique opportunity to study in the "hub" of the renewable energy industry in Stromness.
It offers a focus for research, training and consultancy, with particular expertise in renewable energy, marine science and environmental resources.
Four Masters Degree programmes attract students from around the world, and are designed to produce highly qualified graduates ready for the workplace.
The courses offered are an MSc in Renewable Energy Development (RED); an MSc in Marine Renewable Energy (MRE); an MSc in Marine Resource Management (MRM) and an MSc in Marine Planning for Sustainable Development (MPSD).
In the current academic year Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney Campus has had a boost to its student intake, with 27 postgraduate students enrolled and studying at ICIT.
Students from all over the world have chosen to come and study in Orkney, ranging from Thailand, Kazakhstan, Hawaii, Mexico, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain and Ireland.
ICIT Director Dr Sandy Kerr explained that it was encouraging to see so many students from a range of backgrounds and that the international mix of students was something ICIT wished to encourage.
"Scholarships make a great difference to students’ ability to come and study here and with the help of the Scottish Funding Council and Fred Olsen, this has gone a long way in attracting students to study with us," she said.
Field trips are a great way for students to meet with industry and collaborate on dissertation projects, which assists students with employment prospects on graduation. The Orkney Campus boasts a 90 per cent success rate in students finding work following graduation.
Dr Jo Porter organised a recent field trip where Edinburgh-based students came to join forces with the Orkney group.
The week involved a range of boat and shore based survey activities in Scapa Flow together with talks from industry (EMEC and Scotrenewables).
This year the Orkney Campus is offering a range of scholarships from Fred Olsen as well as SFC funding.
PJ Dewar at the university advised those interested in applying for on campus study to get in touch.
"Often prospective students are a little wary of coming to study on a small island off the north of Scotland," said PJ.
"When they do take the leap to come here, they quickly realise what a fantastic student experience we offer here, coupled with excellent collaboration with industry.
"Many of our students from across the world have stayed on after completing their course, and have gained employment in the renewables industry.
"Orkney is the place to be in terms of renewable and marine energy. They key players are here on our doorstep."
As well as on campus learning, ICIT offers the option of study through Distance Learning (RED and MRE); it offers flexible learning solutions for people who wish to study while in employment, or who are not in a position to relocate to Orkney.
Through online learning, students from a wide variety of backgrounds can take MSc courses which provide the skills and knowledge need to work in the dynamic renewable sector.
Over the past 25 years ICIT has significantly shaped and developed the thriving marine renewables industry.
Students have the opportunity to learn from people directly involved in research and projects supporting the development of the renewables and marine energy sector.
The university continues to develop a strong research and consultancy portfolio, enjoying mutually productive links with industry, government and other academic bodies at local, national and international levels.
The current internationally recognised research is focused on the wave and tidal marine renewable energy sector.
There have been around 400 masters graduates since 1990, more than 150 MSc Distance Learning graduates from around the world, and 12 successful Orkney-based PhDs have been awarded.
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