By Alastair McNeill

Copyright dailyrecord

Cash-strapped UHI Perth have insisted a forthcoming trip to China by three college managers is not funded by public money. UHI Perth management’s trips to China have been taking place for ten years and the latest ten-day October trip is aimed at securing business with the college’s Chinese partners currently worth £1m per year. The college’s defence of the £4500 trip, amid budget deficits amounting to £9.6m, follows criticism of management by staff in a letter sent to the Perthshire Advertiser. UHI Perth however have refused to reveal the names of the staff going on the trip. Controversial principal Dr Margaret Cook stepped down earlier this year following renowned wholly-owned UHI Perth subsidiary Air Service Training (AST) – established in 1931 – going into administration. Her replacement Catherine Etri however and the college board are now under fire following a recent meeting with staff. A Financial Recovery Plan outlined by the new principal at staff conferences in recent months points to predicted deficits of £2.4m for 25/26; £3.3m for 26/27; £3.9m for 27/28. Earlier this year UHI Perth said its partnership with Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics is set to expand from 100 to 150 students in 2026 subject to the Chinese Ministry of Education approval. It is not the first time UHI Perth management have been criticised for making trips to China. In 2019 lecturers union EIS-FELA hit out at senior management, including principal Dr Cook, following multiple long distance flights to Asia during the 2018/19 academic year – business class trips had been claimed at a time when college staff jobs were on the chopping block. But a UHI Perth spokesperson said of the forthcoming China trip: “The trip to China is not funded by public money. “It is supported through income generated from our international partnership activities, with significant costs covered directly by our Chinese partners. “These visits are an essential part of maintaining and expanding our transnational education provision, which has been established for over 15 years, generates over £1 million annually, and directly supports the cost of teaching Scottish students. “Staff will be travelling economy class, using the most cost-effective route available. ”To respect staff privacy, we are not sharing individual names or job titles. “The estimated travel and accommodation cost for three staff members is £4,500.”