Dave Thompson MSP

SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Dave Thompson, has today welcomed the news that West Highland College UHI has announced two firsts.

The first of these is the arrival of their very first PhD student, Ms Jelena Farkic', from Serbia. Jelena will be reading for a social-sciences based doctorate under the guidance of Dr Peter Varley, the Director of the Centre. She will be studying the area of tourism experiences in the outdoors and the ways in which these can be facilitated and enhanced by highly skilled guides.

The second is the announcement of the new BA (Hons) Marine and Coastal Tourism degree. This is due to be validated next month and is the first degree qualification of its kind in the UK, focusing on activities, environment, customers and policy, with Scottish, UK and International perspectives.

Commenting on these announcements, Dave said: “This is fantastic news for West Highland College UHI.

“I am delighted that Ms Farkic' will be reading for her Doctorate in such a beautiful and diverse area of my constituency. I am sure that she will excel in her studies under Dr Varley’s tutelage and hope that she is the first of many PhD students to read at UHI.

“It also gives me great pleasure that the College has also announced the new degree in Marine and Coastal Tourism. This is the first degree of its kind in the country and one that I am sure will be a very popular course.

“I wish Ms Farkic' all the best in her studies and good luck to all those who study for the new degree.

“I look forward to hearing of their successes and the continuing success of West Highland College UHI.”