A new Fast Track to Nursing course has started at Forth Valley College Stirling Campus, helping young people into the workforce.
Two academic institutions have teamed up with the NHS in the area to forge an innovative partnership aimed at improving health care right across the community.
Collaborative partnership launched
The Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between NHS Forth Valley, University of Stirling, and Forth Valley College and brings together their combined skills and expertise to improve patient care and treatment.
It will also help develop new learning and research opportunities for local staff.
A first for Scotland, this far-reaching collaboration brings together the three organisation's unique wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to drive forward improvements in health and social care across the region and beyond.
Focus on innovation and learning
With a focus on research, innovation, learning and career development, this crucial partnership works across a wide range of settings from hospitals to health centres, care homes to classrooms.
It aims to set a new bar for best practice in collaborative approaches to attract and retain talent, develop new learning and drive forward innovations to improve the health and well-being of patients, staff, and communities across Forth Valley and beyond.
Innovation is a key priority and by working together there are real opportunities to drive forward change across the health and care sector and ensure Forth Valley is at the forefront of new technological, clinical and educational advances.
University of Stirling highlights
The Partnership brings together research leads from all three organisations, along with public health specialists and business leads, to drive forward improvements in health and social care services across Forth Valley and beyond.
Learning is critical to attract the future workforce and ensures they are equipped with the skills and experience they need to meet the current and future healthcare needs of local people across Forth Valley.
The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).
The University is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
It has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.
They are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of their research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80 per cent rated either world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and they are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for their contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
They have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for their Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland's International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
