The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) marked a significant milestone on Thursday 14 November, with the graduation of the first cohort from its BSc (Hons) Optometry programme.
The event was presided over by UHI’s Chancellor, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.
Held at Eden Court in Inverness, UHI welcomed 600 guests to its nursing and optometry graduation, celebrating the achievements of over 130 nursing and optometry students from its Inverness and Stornoway campuses.
The BSc (Hons) Optometry, the first new course of its kind in Scotland in nearly 50 years, was designed to address the growing demand for comprehensive eye care services in the North of Scotland, particularly within rural communities.
UHI is one of only two institutions in Scotland to offer undergraduate optometry education, and its optometry programme recently received full approval from the General Optical Council.
This approval reinforces UHI’s dedication to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of local communities and brings UHI to the forefront of vision care education in the regions it serves.
The programme not only addresses current demand but also aims to set new standards in vision care for future generations.
Special awards were also presented during the ceremony to recognise outstanding achievements.
The Prize for the Best Student in Advanced Optometric Studies, provided by the Brain Tumour Charity, was awarded to Rachel Milne from Inverurie.
Rachel commented:
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the outstanding teaching and support I have received at UHI.
“It is a privilege to have so many experienced optometrists and lecturers share their knowledge and provide support to develop the foundations on which to build a successful career in optometry.
“Inverness is an up-and-coming city full of opportunities and employment, both while studying and after graduation.
“I’m proud of my achievements at UHI, and this award is a lovely way to have them recognised.
“I very much look forward to using my knowledge and skills that I’ve gained to care for patients in the community.”
Kiera Logan from Glasgow, received the Prize for Excellence in Community Optometry sponsored by Specsavers, and the award for Best Overall Student Performance, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.
Speaking about her time at UHI and her awards, Kiera said:
“I have found my time at university to be very unique, as it is not often you get to experience a small year group like we have.
“I am grateful to all the lecturers at UHI for their dedication to my education and supporting me through some tough years.
“I feel very proud of myself for winning these two awards, as it shows that all the hard work I have put in has paid off!”
Kiera also delivered the students’ vote of thanks at the end of the ceremony, saying:
“Today is a day of immense pride, accomplishment, and a touch of sadness as we bid farewell to this chapter of our lives.
“To all the staff at UHI Centre for Rural Health Sciences, thank you for being more than just educators.
“You’ve been mentors, guides, and so much more.
“Your dedication to our education and future careers in healthcare has been the guiding light that led us through the challenges and triumphs.
“We are grateful for the knowledge, skills, and values you’ve instilled in us.”
UHI continues its optometry education journey with the launch of the new Optometry with Independent Prescribing (MOptom) programme, starting in autumn 2025.
This programme aligns with evolving educational standards in the optometry profession across the UK, equipping future graduates with enhanced skills and qualifications.
Applicants can now apply for September 2025 entry to the Optometry with Independent Prescribing MOptom
UHI a’ Comharrachadh Clach-Mhìle Leis na Ciad Cheumnaichean Ann an Optomatrachd
Chomharraich Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean (UHI) clach-mhìle chudromach Diardaoin 14 Samhain, nuair a cheumnaich a’ chiad bhuidheann bhon phrògram BSc (le Urram) aca ann an Optomatrachd. B’ e Seansalair UHI, A Mòrachd Rìoghail a’ Bhana-phrionnsa Rìoghail, a bha air ceann an tachartais.
Sa chuirm-cheumnachaidh altramais is optomatrachd aige ann an Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis, chuir UHI fàilte air 600 aoigh, agus gàirdeachas ga dhèanamh ris na choilean còrr is 130 de dh’oileanaich ann an altramas is optomatrachd bho na h-àrainnean aige ann an Inbhir Nis is Steòrnabhagh.
Chaidh am BSc (le Urram) ann an Optomatrachd, a’ chiad chùrsa ùr den t-seòrsa ann an Alba o chionn cha mhòr 50 bliadhna, a dhealbhadh gus solar a dhèanamh airson an iarrtais fhàsmhoir air seirbheisean cùram shùl coileanta ann an ceann a tuath na h-Alba, gu sònraichte ann an coimhearsnachdan dùthchail.
Tha UHI air aon den dà stèidheachd, dìreach, ann an Alba a tha a’ tabhann foghlam fo-cheum ann an optomatrachd, agus o chionn ghoirid fhuair am prògram optomatrachd aige làn aonta bho Chomhairle Choitcheann an t-Sùil-leighis. Tha an t-aonta seo a’ daingneachadh dealas UHI a thaobh a bhith a’ coinneachadh ri feumalachdan cùram slàinte atharrachail choimhearsnachdan ionadail agus a’ cur UHI air thoiseach ann am foghlam cùram lèirsinn anns na sgìrean air a bheil e a’ frithealadh. Chan e a-mhàin gu bheil am prògram a’ dèanamh solar airson an iarrtais làithrich ach tha e cuideachd a’ feuchainn ri inbhean ùra a shuidheachadh ann an cùram lèirsinn airson nan ginealaichean ri teachd.
Chaidh duaisean sònraichte a thoirt seachad aig a’ chuirm cuideachd a chliùiteachadh euchdan air leth. Chaidh an duais airson an oileanaich a b’ fheàrr ann an eòlas optomatrach adhartach, a bha air a sholar le Carthannas nan Siat Eanchainn, a thoirt do Rachel Milne à Inbhir Uaraidh. Thuirt Rachel fhèin:
“Cha b’ urrainn dhomh a bhith na bu taingeile airson an teagaisg agus na taice air leth a fhuair mi aig UHI. Tha e na shochair na h-uimhir de optomatraichean agus òraidichean gnàth-eòlach a bhith a’ pàirteachadh an cuid fiosrachaidh agus a’ toirt seachad taic gus na bunaitean a chruthachadh air an gabh cùrsa-obrach soirbheachail a thogail ann an optomatrachd. ’S e baile-mòr beothail a th’ ann an Inbhir Nis làn chothroman agus cosnaidh, an dà chuid an àm a bhith ag ionnsachadh agus an dèidh ceumnachadh. Tha mi moiteil às na rudan a choilean mi aig UHI, agus tha e gasta fhèin iad a bhith air an aithneachadh leis an duais seo. Tha mi a’ dèanamh fiughair gu mòr ri bhith a’ cleachdadh an eòlais agus nan sgilean a fhuair mi airson cùram a thoirt do dh’euslaintich sa choimhearsnachd.”
Fhuair Kiera Logan à Glaschu an Duais airson Sàr-mhathais ann an Optomatrachd Coimhearsnachd fo urrasaireachd Specsavers, agus an duais airson a’ Choileanaidh Choitchinn a b’ Fheàrr le Oileanach, fo urrasaireachd an Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. Agus i a’ bruidhinn air an àm a bha i aig UHI agus na duaisean aice, thuirt Kiera fhèin:
“An t-àm a bha mi san oilthigh, bha e gun samhail, oir chan e rud bitheanta a th’ ann duine a bhith ann am buidheann bliadhna bheag mar a bha sinne. Tha mi taingeil do na h-òraidichean uile aig UHI airson cho dìcheallach ’s a bha iad a thaobh an fhoghlaim agam agus airson taic a thoirt dhomh tro bhliadhnaichean a bha cruaidh. Tha mi a’ faireachdainn uabhasach moiteil asam fhìn gun do choisinn mi an dà dhuais seo, oir tha e a’ sealltainn mar a fhuair mi buannachd às an an obair chruaidh air fad a rinn mi!”
B’ e Kiera cuideachd a chuir an cèill taing o na h-oileanach aig deireadh na cuirme, is thuirt i fhèin:
“Is e latha anabarrach pròiseil, euchdach agus car beag brònach a th’ againn an-diugh agus sinn a’ fàgail soraidh slàn leis a’ chaibideil seo nar beatha. Don luchd-obrach air fad aig Ionad UHI airson Saidheansan Slàinte Dùthchail, tapadh leibh gun robh barrachd annaibh na dìreach luchd-foghlaim. Is e meantoran, luchd-iùil agus iomadh rud eile a bh’ annaibh. B’ e cho dealasach ’s a bha sibh airson an fhoghlaim againn agus nan cùrsaichean-obrach a bhios againn ann an cùram slàinte a bu sholas-iùil dhuinn tro na dùbhlain agus na buaidhean. Tha sinn taingeil airson an eòlais, nan sgilean agus nan luachan a stèidhich sibh annainn.”
Tha UHI a’ leantainn air a thuras a thaobh foghlam optomatrachd, is am prògram ùr Maighstir ann an Optomatrachd (MOptom) le Ro-òrdachadh Neo-eisimeileach a’ tòiseachadh ann am foghar 2025. Tha am prògram seo ann an co-chòrdadh ri bun-tomhasan a tha a’ gluasad air aghaidh a thaobh foghlam ann an dreuchd na h-optomatrachd air feadh na RA, agus e ri bhith ag uidheamachadh cheumnaichean san àm ri teachd le sgilean is teisteanasan feabhasaichte.
Faodaidh tagraichean cur a-steach a-nis airson faighinn a-steach san t-Sultain 2025 don phrògram MOptom le Ro-òrdachadh Neo-eisimeileach
