It’s nearly a year since students and colleagues from Scotland’s colleges, universities and sector agencies first came together at the University of Stirling for our inaugural STEP Discovery Day.
Launched in autumn 2024, Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) is the national enhancement programme that enables Scotland’s colleges and universities to work in partnership to develop initiatives that enhance the learner experience. Sector-owned and jointly managed by CDN and QAA Scotland, STEP provides a shared space to explore, collaborate and innovate.
At the heart of STEP are collaborative projects designed to deliver positive impact for Scotland’s tertiary education sector. Each four-year cycle focuses on a single enhancement theme, with the 2024–2028 cycle centred on Supporting Diverse Learner Journeys.
Following last year’s Discovery events – held in Stirling, Inverness, Glasgow and Dundee – the STEP initiative has continued to build momentum, with projects work now progressing at pace.
Our first STEP event of this academic year took place on Tuesday 18 November. Despite weather warnings and a cold, wet start across Scotland, participants received a warm welcome at Fife College’s new Dunfermline City Campus. The modern, flexible, net-zero-ready campus provided an ideal setting for a day of sector-wide collaboration.
More than 80 students and colleagues from Scottish colleges, universities and sector agencies – including many new STEP Network student members – travelled from as far as the Scottish Borders and the Isle of Skye to take part in lively, productive discussions.
The day opened with updates from each of the STEP project teams, giving participants a clear view of progress across the initiative.
“For most of the day, the project teams worked together to progress their work,” says QAA Scotland’s Alison Eales. “Then when we all came back together for our closing plenary, they said that these teamworking sessions had been really fruitful and that they now felt much more confident in their projects.
“Our discussions generated some invaluable suggestions, both about gaps in the programme and around practical elements of delivery. I’m glad to say we received very positive feedback on the day, with participants emphasizing the value of coming together in person to progress their work and to meet and share ideas with others from across the sector.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing everyone at our next in-person meeting in Edinburgh in January!”
Reflecting on the event, Dr Gail Toms, CDN’s Delivery and Engagement Partner, said:
“STEP is already helping to shape real improvements for learners across Scotland. With its focus on Supporting Diverse Learner Journeys, the enthusiasm at this latest event shows how invested colleagues and students are in creating positive change. CDN is delighted to be working alongside QAA Scotland and the wider sector to drive this important work forward.”
