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."
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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
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