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CDN College Awards 2026
The College Awards 2026, proudly delivered by CDN, are now open for entries! These awards celebrate the talent, achievements, and innovation of colleges, staff, and learners across Scotland.
Important Dates:
- Entry deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 24 June 2026
- Awards ceremony: Thursday 3 December 2026 at Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Submit your entries today – good luck to everyone!
Discover College Awards here
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Generative AI Series Kick-Starts
Online - Several Dates
Following another sell-out run, the series is giving educators, support staff, and leaders hands-on experience with tools like ChatGPT, focusing on practical applications in teaching, learning, and assessment.
Designed for beginners and those looking to build on existing skills, the sessions promote confident, ethical, and effective use of AI across Scotland’s colleges.
Spaces still available – view all sessions here.
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Marketing and Communications Conference Brings Sector Together
On Tuesday 17 February, CDN's Marketing and Communications Conference at New College Lanarkshire brought 100 colleagues from across Scotland’s college sector together for a day of learning, collaboration, and fresh ideas.
With keynote talks and practical workshops on marketing, influence, and crisis communications, the event highlighted how working together can strengthen the sector’s voice in a key election year.
Thanks to all speakers and delegates for making the day such a success.
Read the full recap here
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Researcher Development Programme
Over recent months, the Researcher Development Programme (RDP) has brought researchers together to build skills, confidence, and professional networks.
This month, the RDP returned on 25 February with From Practice to Possibility: Rethinking Teaching Through Research, led by Professor Tara Brabazon (Flinders University, Australia).
Next up: Assessment Design and Compassionate Pedagogies with Deirdre Murphy (25 March) and Quiet Camaraderie with Kerry Heathcote (29 April).
Interested in joining or learning more? Contact CDN’s Insight and Innovation Partner, Jo Turbitt: jo.turbitt@cdn.ac.uk
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#EqualityMatters:
Putting Inclusion at the Heart of Your Work
Discover #EqualityMatters, CDN’s monthly digest supporting staff to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across colleges. Each edition links the UN SDGs to inclusive leadership, providing easy access to resources and events.
The March issue focuses on gender inequality, exploring how colleges can help narrow gender equity gaps.
View March Issue here
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Our Latest STEP
On 27 January, more than 70 colleagues and students attended the latest Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) Day in Edinburgh, with participants from Orkney and Shetland joining remotely.
Delivered by CDN and QAA Scotland and funded by the Scottish Funding Council, STEP is Scotland’s national enhancement programme. Part of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework, it drives improvement across colleges and universities through collaboration and innovation.
The event shared project progress, encouraged collaboration, and launched two new initiatives supporting neurodivergent learners and tailored STEM provision.
Save the date: The annual STEP Conference, Stepping over the Threshold: Inclusion and Belonging in Scotland’s Tertiary Sector, takes place on 27 May at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Read the full story here.
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Partner News: EAUC Scotland conference
31 March - Perth Concert Hall - £115 early bird rate available for sector staff
The EAUC Scotland Conference, held every 18 months, is Scotland’s only event dedicated to sustainability in colleges and universities.
It offers a key opportunity to connect with sector colleagues, explore new climate guidance, and share practical approaches to embedding sustainability in leadership, learning, teaching, and research.
Senior leaders and sustainability leads are encouraged to attend.
Find out more here.
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Hi everyone,
I hope you are well.
I’m delighted to be launching the 2026 College Awards - a true celebration of the talent, dedication and achievements of our sector, its staff and students. We’re especially pleased to introduce a brand-new category, the Student-Led Initiative Award, recognising outstanding projects that demonstrate student leadership, creativity and impact. I wish everyone the very best of luck with your submissions.
We’ve made a strong start to another action-packed year, supporting the sector to sharpen skills, spark insight and showcase excellence. Alongside our ever-popular national programmes, we continue to deliver a wide-range of bespoke training in areas including governance, insights and innovation, leadership and management, and learning and teaching. Many of these opportunities are highlighted in our #YourCDN brochure, and we’re always happy to work with colleges to tailor support to local needs. Get in touch and find out how #YourCDN can support you.
We’re also pleased to share that plans are well underway for the next cohorts of CDN leadership programmes, with further details to be announced soon.
Out and about across the country, our team has been busy visiting colleges, sharing ideas and learning from you through our delivery agreement meetings. At the same time, we’re shaping our new strategic plan — built around your priorities and ambitions. This is truly #YourCDN in action: working alongside every college and every staff member, every step of the way.
You can keep up with all our upcoming activities at cdn.ac.uk, on social media, and through our regular newsletters.
Warm regards,
Marie Hendry
Chief Executive, CDN
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