Hello
CDN Update

I hope you had a good mid-term break and feel refreshed and ready for the next half of this term.

Lots has happened since our last Update, the most important of which was the launch of our new three-year Strategy 2023-26. It was devised and tested in collaboration with college colleagues and our sector partners, and I’d like to extend a special thanks to everyone who helped us.

We also welcomed publication of a major new piece of research commissioned jointly with Colleges Scotland. The Fraser of Allander Institute conducted the research, and their report shows that college graduates will boost Scotland’s economy by £52 billion over their working lives. Find out more below.

Plans are well underway for the College Awards 2023, which take place Thursday 30 November. It will be my first College Awards as Chief Executive of CDN, so I very much look forward to meeting many of you there, and to celebrating the successes and fantastic work of the entire sector. 

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

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to discuss any aspect of our work or new strategy. 
Marie Hendry, Chief Executive, CDN
Help us shape College Expo events 2023-24

The focus of our new strategy is to equip our colleges and their people with the knowledge and skills to transform their practice, so they can deliver the best learning experience for college students across Scotland. To do this we need to understand your needs, so we are asking for your help.
 
We will be hosting Service Design workshops to explore how we can best deliver our College Expo events-based activity this academic year – including the College Expo Roadshows and main two-day conference. The sessions will be fun and interactive, and they will give you the opportunity to meet and work with colleagues from across the sector. 
 
If you’ve not yet signed up, there's still time but please be quick, the workshops take place on:
·      Monday 30 October – 1230 to 1330 and 1600 to 1700
·      Tuesday 31 October – 1230 to 1330 and 1600 to 1700
·      Wednesday 1 November – 1600 to 1700
 

College graduates will boost Scotland’s economy £52 billion over their working lives

New research shows the Scottish economy will be £52 billion better off cumulatively over the 40-year working life of college graduates.
 
The research was commissioned by CDN and Colleges Scotland to evidence the critical value our colleges make to Scotland’s economic wellbeing.
 
The report from the Fraser of Allander Institute shows that over their working life, college graduates boost employment, increase real wages and contribute to increased trade and investment.
CDN Executive Leadership Series 2023-24

Developed and hosted by CDN’s leadership lead Valerie Jackman, CDN’s Executive Leadership Series supports participants to build their skills and network, with the option to attend specific workshops or follow the whole series. The 11 workshops are designed to offer choice and flexibility.
To find out how the series can work best for you, please contact valerie.jackman@cdn.ac.uk.

#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.

October is... Focusing on Race Equality

Click the image below for infographic:
Watch this space for November's focus on Disability.
Partner News: The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024

The search is on for Scotland’s top business-academic partnerships and individuals making a significant impact on economic, environmental and social prosperity through collaborative research and development.

This year we are keen to recognise the role students play in business academic collaborations, the success of novel partnerships and the development of models which demonstrate best practice and have the potential to scale. Applications are now open across seven categories. 

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