RES backs 27 UHI students with skills for the future

A total of 27 students from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been awarded grants from the Student Development Fund, supported by RES. The fund provides students from a variety of academic backgrounds with grants of up to £1,000 to support their studies and take part in meaningful development opportunities beyond their courses.

Spanning a wide range of disciplines including musical culture, archaeology, sports therapy, creative studies, and rural regeneration, this year’s recipients will gain skills needed to support the region’s communities, economy, and cultural heritage. The fund aims to make development opportunities accessible to every student at UHI, regardless of their financial or geographical challenges.

RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, is headquartered in the UK and has been developing, constructing, and operating renewable projects in Scotland from its Glasgow office since 1993. Last year, RES pledged £60,000 to UHI over a three-year period to support a minimum of 60 students through the fund. This is the second year of the funding, and is open to all UHI students, studying any course, across all UHI campuses in the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Perthshire.

Recipients from the 2025 funding round include:

Glen Dickson, a BA (Hons) Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning student at UHI North, West Hebrides’ Fort William campus, received funding to achieve his Winter Mountain Leader qualification.

“I have a lot of winter experience but never had the confidence or money available to go for the assessment. Once I have my Winter ML qualification, I will be able to work over the winter months providing winter skills courses and guiding locally up Ben Nevis and other mountains.”

April Sutherland, a BA (Hons) Applied Music student at UHI North, West and Hebrides, received funding to attend short courses and educational events for Scottish smallpipes players.

“This is a huge help towards my practice as a performer and will help so much towards becoming a full-time professional musician in the next few years. I am taken aback at the amount I have been awarded and really excited to get going with the opportunities this has opened up for me!”

Moumita Kar, a PGDE Primary Teaching student at UHI Inverness, will use the grant to undertake the Woodland Activity Leader Training, which focuses on delivering and inspiring tailored environmental education.

“As an aspiring primary teacher, this opportunity is invaluable. It will equip me with practical skills and a deeper understanding of outdoor education, allowing me to bring engaging and enriching woodland activities directly into my classroom and school grounds.”

Euan Hogg, Development Project Manager at RES added: “Listening to the recipients’ stories was truly inspiring and shows the full range of skills that exist in our communities. We’re pleased we can help foster that talent through this scheme by creating opportunities to learn, grow personal confidence and support the local economy. Congratulations to all recipients, we look forward to following your journey.”

Stephanie Strother, Advancement Manager at UHI said: “We are delighted to see the wide range of development opportunities now available to our UHI students, made possible through the generous support of our corporate sponsor, RES! This funding greatly helps to empower our students to pursue personal and professional growth beyond the scope of their studies.”

In 2024, 23 students were successful in receiving grants, bringing the total supported by RES so far to 50 following the latest funding round this summer. RES puts local communities at the heart of their projects. For over a decade they have operated their unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) and supported community benefit funds that unlock opportunities that go well beyond energy generation of the renewable energy projects alone.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Picture caption: Left to right, Glen Dickson, April Sutherland, and Moumita Kar

About UHI
The UHI Student Development Fund has been enabling UHI’s unique student body to build new skills and expand their horizons since 2009. To date, it has helped over 700 students. The fund allows students to apply for awards (up to a value of £1,000) for support with specific aspects of their studies, which they would otherwise be unable to participate in or would struggle to access. It helps talented students overcome financial barriers to participate in learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities that support their development, increase their confidence, and raise their aspirations. For more information, contact [email protected]

About RES
RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, working across 24 countries and active in wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, transmission, and distribution. An industry innovator for over 40 years, RES has delivered more than 28GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and plans to bring more than 26GW of new capacity online in the next five years.

As a service provider, RES has the skills and experience in asset management, operations and maintenance (O&M), and spare parts – supporting 45GW of renewable assets. RES brings to the market a range of purposeful, practical technology-based products and digital solutions designed to maximise investment and deployment of renewable energy.

RES is the power behind a clean energy future where everyone has access to affordable zero carbon energy bringing together global experience, passion, and the innovation of its 4,500 people to transform the way energy is generated, stored and supplied. Visit: www.res-group.com

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rebecca Randall
RES Press Office
07468 486974
[email protected]