Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - Colaiste Ghàidhlig na h-Alba
Turas - Cuairt-Litir an t-Sabhail

AN DUBHLACHD 2000

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Welcome from the Director
Ceumanachd 2000
Transatlantic Sessions
Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile
Learning in Networked Communities (LINC)
Foghlam air astar le tòrr taic
Fèis Chaluim Chille 2000
Passport to Skye and Lochalsh
Student Profile - Angela Johnstone
Mealaibh Ur Naidheachd
Staff Profile - Iain Dòmhallach
Sunshine & MSPs on Summer and Short Course Programme
TOSG - Autmn Tour Achieves Great Success
Caidreamh an t-Sabhail - Profile
STOP PRESS
Transatlantic Sessions

Ceanglaichean eadar Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus Eilean a' Phrionnsa

A toast to the Memorandum of Understanding between Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the University of Prince Edward Island

Air Diciadain 18 Damhair 2000 chuir Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ainm ri Meòrachan Tuigsinn a' dearbhadh còmhla ri Oilthigh Eilean a' Phrionnsa gum bi an dà ionad a' toirt sùil gheur air cothroman airson co-obrachadh a thaobh leasachaidh agus rannsachaidh. Bidh turasan cultarail don dà chuid luchd-obrach agus oileanaich air an cur air dòigh eadar an dà àite còmhla ri co-obrachadh ann a bhith a' dèanamh suas agus a' toirt seachad prògraman foghlaim, gu sònraichte a thaobh eileanan. Tha Iain Mac a' Phearsain, òraidiche aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - fear aig a bheil cuideachd ann an Eilean a' Phrionnsa - air cùrsa Gàidhlig a thoirt seachad san Eilean sin agus tha planaichean ann gus a leithid seo a leudachadh.

A' bruidhinn aig soidhnigeadh a' Mheòrachain ann an Sabhal Mòr Ostaig aig àm Eileanan VI - co-labhairt mhòr eadar-nàiseanta air eileanan beaga, a chaidh a chumail san Eilean Sgitheanach airson a' chiad uair - thuirt Iain T MacLeòid, Ceannard Foghlaim aig a' Cholaiste "Tha e air leth cudthromach gun tig gnìomhan a-mach à ceanglaichean mar seo eadar Gaidhealtachd na h-Alba agus Eilean a' Phrionnsa agus an co-obrachadh eile againn le Eilean Cheap Breatainn agus gum faigh iad taic làidir aig ìre phoilitigeach, fhoghlamach agus choimhearsnachd. Tha dualchas coitcheann againn agus gun teagamh sam bith agus tha am miann ann, a bhith ag ionnsachadh bhon eòlas choitcheann sin." Chaidh crìoch a chur air an t-soidhnigeadh tro inneal co-labhairt bhideo agus thug an t-Oll Ed Domhnallach, a tha teagasg Eachdraidh ann an Oilthigh Eilean a' Phrionnsa, tarraing air na ceanglaichean eachdraidheil leis an Eilean Sgitheanach. Dh'ainmich e cho cudthromach 's a bha am Meòrachan aig an àm seo agus an comharrachadh a' tighinn ann an 2003 den 200 bliadhna bho ràinig na "Selkirk Settlers" Eilean a' Phrionnsa - 800 duine, a chuid as motha dhiubh às an Eilean Sgitheanach. Thuirt e "gu robh Eilean a' Phrionnsa agus an t-Eilean Sgitheanach coltach ri chèile, mar eileanan beaga air oir saoghail nas motha......a' dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil fhios againn cò sinn."

On Wednesday, 18th October, 2000 Sabhal Mòr Ostaig signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Prince Edward Island committing both institutions to explore a range of shared developmental and research opportunities. This is to include staff and student cultural exchanges and collaboration in the development and delivery of joint academic programmes, with particular opportunities in the field of island studies. Already, Iain MacPherson, a lecturer at Sabhal Mòr - who has family ties with Prince Edward Island - has delivered a Gaelic course on the island and there are plans to extend this provision further.

In announcing the signing of the memorandum at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig during Islands VI - a major international conference on small islands and held in Skye for the first time - John N. MacLeod, the Head of Studies at the College said. "It is vitally important that links such as this between the Scottish Gaidhealtachd and Prince Edward Island and our other collaboration with its neighbouring island of Cape Breton are translated into action and are actively supported at political, educational and community level. Undoubtedly, we have a shared Gaelic heritage and there is a desire to learn from our common experiences." During the signing, which was concluded by video-conference, the historic ties with Skye were recalled by Dr Ed MacDonald, Professor of History at the University of PEI, emphasing the memorandum's importance as celebrations approach in 2003 to mark the 200th anniversary of the arrival on PEI of the 800 Selkirk settlers, most from Skye. He added, "Prince Edward Island and Skye have a common heritage, as small islands on the margins of larger worlds ... carving out our identities."

Video Conference attendees look forward to future transatlantic developments