Hello Emma Grainger,

CDN Update

Welcome to the penultimate CDN Update of 2024.

Here at CDN HQ, we’re still buzzing from the success of the 25^th College Awards held on 14 November. It truly is a privilege to be able to bring together so many amazing staff and students across the College sector to celebrate your achievements, recognise the impact of your work and showcase your best practice across the country. A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists.  

The sharing of best practice and supporting scholarship, improvement and enhancement through learning is at the heart of what we do at CDN – and we know it's important to you. We’re therefore delighted to have recently launched new initiatives, programmes and courses that provide a rich source of information, best practice advice, enhancement support and training to support you in your work.

Earlier this month, we launched Issue 2 of the CAIRN Journal. CDN is proud to host this important platform for scholarship in the Scottish college sector, and this issue is no exception. Take a moment to explore it!

We were also excited to launch the Insights and Innovations Hub, a resource designed to spark creativity and support transformative projects across Scotland’s College Sector. With tools, case studies, and expert insights, it’s your go-to place for driving change and improving educational practices.

As always, we continue to offer a wide range of impactful Courses, Events, practice-focused Research and best practice guidance to support your professional practice. Take a moment and have a look at what's on offer and book on CDN’s website.

Stay warm and best wishes,

Celebrating Talent, Innovation, and Success at CDN College Awards

The CDN College Awards took place on Thursday 14 November, at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow, with over 270 guests – the largest event to date. The evening celebrated the talent, innovation, and success of Scotland’s colleges, staff, and students.

This year saw a record 163 submissions from colleges across Scotland, reflecting the sector's ambition and excellence.

We were delighted to welcome Amy Irons as our host, and Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, highlighted the important role colleges play in shaping Scotland’s future.

The event featured 14 prestigious awards and entertainment from UHI Perth students, showcasing the diverse talent within Scotland’s colleges.

This year also marked the 25th anniversary of the CDN College Awards, celebrating the significant impact Scotland’s colleges have on learners and communities.

A huge thank you to our sponsors and congratulations to the inspiring winners!

CAIRN Journal, Issue 2 Out Now!

We are excited to launch Issue 2 of the Colleges Action Inquiry Research Network (CAIRN) Journal.

CDN is proud to host the CAIRN Journal, a vital platform for scholarship in the Scottish college sector, and this issue is no exception.

The journal features contributions from college researchers, including research articles, personal reflections, book reviews, and short narratives that highlight innovative educational practices.

Our goal is to create a practitioner-focused publication that advances scholarship and fosters knowledge exchange among educators, researchers, leaders, and evaluators. We believe these insights will inspire you and contribute to the continued development of our sector.

Introducing the Insights and Innovations Hub by CDN

CDN proudly introduces the Insights and Innovations Hub, a dynamic resource designed to ignite creativity, drive momentum, and support transformative projects within Scotland’s College Sector.

This hub serves as a catalyst for change, offering a wealth of tools, case studies, and expert insights. Whether you’re looking to implement new strategies or enhance existing initiatives, the Insights and Innovations Hub is your go-to destination for fostering impactful change and advancing educational excellence.

Watch the video above to learn more about the hub.

Unlock Your Potential with CDN LearnOnline

The Insights and Innovations Hub is a vital part of CDN LearnOnline, the college sector's free online learning platform. This platform provides a variety of courses, resources, and information tailored to support your personal development. 

CDN’s Key Responsibilities in Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework – New Report by SFC

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has released the report Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF): Roles and Responsibilities of SFC Delivery Partner Agencies. This report outlines the responsibilities of key partner agencies.

CDN plays a key role in supporting colleges’ full participation in TQEF and TQER (Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review), a central component of the TQEF.

CDN’s involvement includes:

• With our partner QAA, CDN will co-deliver STEP, Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme, which engages staff and students in key projects. Earlier this month, we were delighted to launch the STEP website in partnership with QAA and look forward to the first Discovery Day in December.
• Collaborating with QAA, ES, and HM Inspectors to enhance colleges' capacity to engage with TQEF through leadership, governance, and staff development training.
• Using insights from Self-Evaluation and Action Plans (SEAPs) to inform and improve practice.
• Supporting the training of TQER reviewers with input and insights as needed.

Transform Your Career in 2025 with CDN Leadership Programmes

Whether you're an aspiring manager or a senior executive, our programmes support leadership growth at every stage. Start your career transformation this January with the CMI-certified programmes. Find out more below:

Upcoming CDN Events

We're thrilled to offer a range of events designed to fuel your professional growth.



Take a look below at what’s coming up and secure your spot today!

#EqualityMatters Digest

We want to help you put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of all you do, so we have developed a monthly #EqualityMatters digest, signposting you to related events, information and resources.

Next months focus is... Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Click the image below for infographic:

CDN, Stirling Enterprise Park, John Player Building University of Stirling, FK9 4LA.

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