Reinforcing hydrogen education collaborations: Visit to German counterpart solidifies college ties
In a recent development, a team from UHI North, West and Hebrides visited Gewerbliche Schule in Backnang, Germany, home to the HyLab Hydrogen Learning Center Backnang. The visit was aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities and knowledge exchange in hydrogen technologies.
The school's facilities are currently undergoing a €10 million upgrade to support hydrogen, construction, and automotive engineering. The team, which included Dr. Alasdair Macleod and curriculum manager Roddy Ferguson, was given a tour of these cutting-edge facilities.
The collaboration between UHI North, West and Hebrides and Gewerbliche Schule focuses on leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of both institutions to drive innovation and training. It is supported by the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ), a partnership between UHI North, West and Hebrides, Community Energy Scotland, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
ICNZ is part of the Islands Growth Deal, which aims to drive sustainable economic growth and job creation across the Scottish islands. The Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre, where UHI North, West and Hebrides is the lead academic partner, aims to transform the Outer Hebrides into a world-leading green hydrogen production hub.
The visit also included meetings with local industry partners engaged in high-temperature hydrogen fuel cell research. The collaboration opens up exciting potential for joint projects. In the near future, the team from Gewerbliche Schule will be welcomed to UHI North, West and Hebrides' Stornoway campus for continued cooperation.
UHI North, West and Hebrides is already strengthening its hydrogen training and innovation. The institution delivers the Professional Development Award (PDA) Hydrogen: An Introduction for Technicians, Scotland's only SQA recognized qualification dedicated to Hydrogen.
For more up-to-date and detailed information, you can review articles and press releases published in July 2025 by UHI and related partners (such as on projectscot.com and uhi.ac.uk), as these provide firsthand coverage of the ongoing partnership and future prospects.
[1] "UHI North, West and Hebrides and Gewerbliche Schule Backnang collaborate on hydrogen technologies," UHI North, West and Hebrides, July 2025, https://www.uhi.ac.uk/news/uhi-north-west-and-hebrides-and-gewerbliche-schule-backnang-collaborate-on-hydrogen-technologies
[2] "Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) supports collaboration between UHI North, West and Hebrides and Gewerbliche Schule Backnang," Islands Centre for Net Zero, July 2025, https://www.icnz.scot/news/islands-centre-for-net-zero-icnz-supports-collaboration-between-uhi-north-west-and-hebrides-and-gewerbliche-schule-backnang
- The collaboration between UHI North, West and Hebrides and Gewerbliche Schule Backnang, supported by the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ), is driving innovation and training in green hydrogen technologies.
- The Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre, led by UHI North, West and Hebrides, aims to transform the Outer Hebrides into a world-leading green hydrogen production hub, funded by the Islands Growth Deal.
- The collaboration opens up exciting potential for joint projects in high-temperature hydrogen fuel cell research, funded by local industry partners.
- UHI North, West and Hebrides delivers the Professional Development Award (PDA) Hydrogen: An Introduction for Technicians, Scotland's only SQA recognized qualification dedicated to Hydrogen, as part of its focus on hydrogen training and innovation.
