THE University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has confirmed it will start its autumn term as planned, with most higher education students beginning their studies on September 7.

Further education students will also start at the times they would normally through their individual partner colleges and institutions.

The UHI partnership, which delivers educational opportunities across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Perthshire and beyond, will use its experience of remote, or blended, learning to run courses in line with Scottish Government guidance.

All 14 principals of the UHI partnership agreed the move.

UHI’s approach will combine video conferencing and remote learning technologies as well as face-to-face teaching where possible and appropriate.

Professor Crichton Lang, UHI’s principal and vice-chancellor, saidd: “We have been developing and delivering our courses to students across our partnership and the world for over 20 years, connecting our students and our communities.

“We have established proven ways of learning through technology, delivering an active and personalised experience to our students who are supported through our university partnership of colleges and research institutions.

“We will continue to draw on this experience and knowledge to deliver courses in the autumn term using our blended approach to teaching.

“This includes using video conferencing, inventive remote learning technologies and some face-to-face teaching where it is safe and important to do so.”