Bob McDowell, VP Microsoft Critical Business Solutions, enjoys the view over the Sound of Sleat from Lochran an Dòmhnallaich, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, with Professor Norman Gillies, college director and chairman of Cànan's board of directors.

Robert L McDowell, Microsoft’s Vice-President of Business Critical Solutions, visited Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Tuesday 31st January, following his appointment as a patron of UHI Millennium Institute’s Development Trust.

Gathering information to help him with this latest responsibility, Bob McDowell also visited UHI partner colleges in Inverness and Perth.

His visit came ahead of speaking to the Scottish Executive in his role as a member of Scottish Enterprise’s International Advisory Board.

Mr McDowell believes Scotland would be well served by advertising specific industries where our universities and businesses are recognised as world-class, and has said he feels the links between the education and business industries could be improved; something Cànan has been committed to, following our work with UHI, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Napier University, among others.

Bob McDowell said of his visit: “I’m extremely impressed by the passion and enthusiasm that everyone involved in creating this new university has for the success of the project. There is clearly a confidence and vibrancy in the Highlands and Islands that reminds me of the north west of the USA, where I live. The University of the Highlands and Islands has the potential to be the jewel in the region’s crown.

There is the potential here to create a new and exciting university that others will learn from and which will be in a position to take advantage of opportunities around the world."

Donella Beaton, Cànan’s Chief Executive, gave a presentation to Mr McDowell on rural business economics in the UHI area. Donella Beaton said: “Mr McDowell’s appointment to UHI’s Development Trust provides a wonderful opportunity for successful future development of a University of the Highlands and Islands, and gives us all the chance to learn from his experience in driving the links between business and education.”