Broadband access threatens the future of the internet in the UK warns academic

Broadband issues that are found in areas like the Isles have to be addressed according to the outgoing vice-chancellor of the Open University.

Unless issues with the supply of broadband services are addressed with the upmost urgency, areas like the Western Isles and other similar parts of Scotland could face being left behind came a warning from the outgoing Open University vice-chancellor, Professor Brenda Gourley.

The UHI Millenium Institute’s eighth annual lecture was given recently at Stornoway by professor Gourley.

Providing broadband services that were both affordable and available to everyone was an educational must she advised an audience of students, UHI foundation members and academics.

She Professor Gourley advised “I realise that the issue of technical capacity is still an issue for communities in the Western Isles. In terms of being at the forefront of what’s happening in the world, being connected, being knowledgeable, being able to access libraries, and in being a learning person at every stage of your life, the internet is a joy that is not to be denied to people. I feel very strongly about this.”

Ways to collaborate more in a constantly changing educational world were always being considered by the Open University and the UHI according to the UHI principle, Bob Cormack and Professor Gourley.

Prof Gourley said: “A conversation has begun. I do not know where it will lead or over what timescale, but I am sure that we will urge our successors to seek common ground and to establish a new working relationship between the Open University and the future University of the Highlands and Islands.”

Professor Bob Cormack also added “We obviously compete for students but the OU has never let that stand in the way of offering us a helping hand. The OU is a natural partner for UHI. Through collaboration I hope we can significantly enhance provision for our students, and that is of course what both institutions are about.”

Source – Press and Journal