Orkney accommodation needed for research students in marine and renewable energy

Students travelling to Orkney to study postgraduate degrees in marine science and renewable energy are struggling to find somewhere to stay, according to the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT), Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney Campus.

The University is currently helping six postgraduate students – with more expected in the coming weeks – who want to join one-year Master of Science degrees starting at the University this September.

But an acute shortage of accommodation in Orkney means they may not be able to attend the University, which has been bringing students to its campus in Stromness for more than 30 years.

Heriot-Watt is appealing to anyone in the local community who may be able to help by letting out a room in their home, or who has a property to rent.

Professor Sandy Kerr, Director at ICIT said: “I’ve never seen demand for accommodation in Orkney as high as it is. It’s affecting lots of organisations here, including businesses, charities, the health service and other education providers, as well as locals looking to stay or return to the islands. We have a list of local landlords and have relied on this in previous years. But with demand continuing to rise, it’s getting tougher every year to find accommodation.”

The six students seeking somewhere to stay are part of a cohort of 14 students starting Masters degrees at the University in Marine Renewable Energy, International Marine Science and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition. The students are travelling to Orkney from countries including France, Germany, the UK, the United States and India.

Heriot-Watt’s links with Orkney date back to the 1970s, when its Institute of Offshore Engineering provided marine environmental consultancy services to the developing Flotta Oil Terminal. In 1989, the University opened its International Centre for Island Technology in Stromness as a teaching and research facility focused on environmental research, including renewable energy, coastal management and marine conservation.

The centre focuses on disciplines that address skills shortages in priority sectors, and has been a catalyst for people to move to the islands. Many of these have remained, to work in the local energy cluster.

Professor Kerr said: “There are businesses here in Orkney in the marine and renewables sector that rely on the skills our graduates bring. Our postgraduate students have been instrumental in the development of Orkney’s energy cluster – and many of them now hold positions of leadership in the sector. By taking up local jobs in the sector, our students are contributing to Orkney’s economy. During their studies, our students also really get involved in the community here, whether it's through sport clubs, societies or volunteering.”

Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Island Technology has also allowed resident islanders to retrain – and expat Orcadians to return – with the prospect of securing a job, Professor Kerr added.

“This has delivered a steady flow of skilled graduates into the local energy sector,” he said.

Potential hosts or landlords in Orkney who might be able to help are being asked to contact Heriot-Watt direct on icit@hw.ac.uk.

Further accommodation is expected to be needed for postgraduate research students within the next six months.