James M Fraser

James M Fraser is the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, in the north of Scotland. He has held senior management roles in Scottish universities for over 23 years.^[1]

Brought up in Inverinate, near Kyle of Lochalsh, he was educated at Plockton High School in Ross-shire under the reign of Sorley Maclean, the famous Gaelic poet.^[2] A class medallist in moral philosophy and metaphysics, James gained MA honours summa cum laude in mental philosophy from the University of Edinburgh in 1971.^[3] During his working life, he also completed a Masters degree in education and a further education teaching qualification.^[4]

Mr Fraser began his career as a lecturer in English and liberal studies at the former Inverness Technical College, now Inverness College UHI.^[5] During this time, he was an active member of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and was elected to the newly formed Highland Regional Council Education Committee as one of three teacher members representing Further Education staff.^[6]

He took up an administrative post in the Academic Registry of the University of Stirling in 1977 and gained promotion to Assistant Registrar three years later.^[7] From 1972 to 1979 James also worked part-time with The Open University as a tutor on some on its arts foundation and other courses in the faculty of arts.^[8]

In 1987 Mr Fraser was appointed Secretary of Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh, now Queen Margaret University, at the start of its ambitions to seek university status.^[9]

Following his time in Edinburgh, James became Secretary of Paisley College of Technology in 1989.^[10] He saw the organisation go through much change as it expanded its student numbers, undertook a building programme, merged with the former Craigie College of Education in Ayr and became a University in 1992.^[11] James remained there until 2002 when he was appointed as Secretary of the UHI Millennium Institute. In January 2007 his post was redesignated as Deputy Principal-Secretary of UHI.^[12]

James Fraser became UHI principal in October 2009, following the retirement of Professor Robert (Bob) Cormack.^[13] Having already taken part in the creation of two universities in Scotland in the 20th Century, James’s ambition was to take UHI to university title at the outset of the 21st Century.^[14] Speaking about his appointment he said: “My main objectives will be to secure the great prize of university title and to create an institution that will be an engine for the economic, social and cultural transformation of the Highlands and Islands.” ^[15]

This ambition was realised in February 2011 when UHI was awarded university title and became the University of the Highlands and Islands. James Fraser became its first principal and vice-chancellor and HRH The Princess Royal was installed as the university's first chancellor in June 2012.

References

External links

• University of the Highlands and Islands
• Visit Highlands website