New appointment in recognition of the continued development and growth of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Dr Gillian Munro was named as the Deputy Director of Academic Studies at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig this week, a new post to help further the recent academic development of the college and to cater for future expansion as the college continues to build on its academic programme.
Dr Munro is Course Leader on the BA (hons) in Gaelic and North Atlantic Studies, a post she has held since 2001 at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. She was previously a researcher at the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at Aberdeen University, and worked for Children in Scotland, the national agency for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals working with children and their families in Scotland.
Dr Munro, who is originally from Banffshire, said: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to be involved in new developments at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. The College is only too aware of the need of the Gaelic-speaking community for graduates with first class academic and practical skills in language and cultural development. Thus Sabhal Mòr has been developing new courses and new research opportunities at both under- and post-graduate levels, in order to meet this skills gap.”
“New developments include: new courses to train teachers through the medium of Gaelic for secondary school teaching; FÀS, a new development centre for business enterprise, with a creche, research facilities and an exhibition space, will open at the end of 2007; and a new research initiative on language revitalisation is being planned for 2008. Therefore, it is fascinating to be taking part in these new developments, and I look forward very much to the new opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Dr Munro will work with John Norman MacLeod, Head of Academic Studies at the college, who welcomed the appointment: “In the past few years educational provision at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has been greatly enhanced, with more flexible modes of delivery and with students able to progress from ab initio language courses through to post-graduate study through the medium of Gaelic. As a Partner College within UHI Millennium Institute and in collaboration with other HE institutions, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is involved in a number of important initiatives, particularly in relation to research and language development, which will greatly enhance the College’s research standing and will be of enormous benefit to the Gaelic language. Resulting from the current and planned expansion, the College recognised the need to strengthen, at senior level, the administration, management and co-ordination of such developments.
“Accordingly, the post of Deputy Director of Studies was created and I am particularly pleased that Dr Gillian Munro has gained this important position. She will continue in her role as an HE programme leader and, combined with her valuable experience of higher education and of the development and management of research programmes and initiatives, I am certain she will be a huge asset to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig within this new role.”
The college’s status as a national centre for the development of the Gaelic language and culture was recognised last year when the Scottish Executive announced an increase of £3.5 million in its core funding. Among the latest developments at the college are the new BA in Gaelic and Traditional Music and the new FÀS centre for creative and cultural industries which will be opened later this year.
ends…
For more information contact John Norman MacLeod on 01471 888302.
Notes to Editors:
- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is Scotland’s Gaelic College (situated in Sleat on the Isle of Skye) and has received numerous awards for the quality of education that it provides. The college offers courses at Diploma, Degree and Postgraduate level as well as distance learning courses, all through the medium of Gaelic.
- The full-time courses that Sabhal Mòr delivers include: Cùrsa Comais, Gaelic and Communication, BA and BA (hons) Gaelic Language and Culture, BA and BA (hons) Gaelic and North Atlantic Studies, BA (and hons) Gaelic and Media Studies, BA Gaelic and Traditional Music, Diploma in Gaelic Media and a taught post-graduate course in Material Culture and the Environment. In addition to the full-time courses the Gaelic Access Course is available and a series of short courses are run through the summer and Easter holidays.