Thursday 10-09-2020 - 14:33

 

The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association has launched a virtual Freshers campaign in light of COVID restrictions on colleges and universities. The events programme features a star studded line up, with BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling, best known as the voice of the ITV2 hit reality show Love Island, joining the Students’ Association for a comedy evening, and a virtual quiz run by Mark Labbett, The Beast from ITV’s The Chase. 

 

Hosted by stand-up comedian, actor and radio presenter Travis Jay, the comedy evening ‘HISA Presents’ will be the first in HISA’s history, with stand-up comedian and writer, Ray Badran, and impressionist and viral internet sensation Steff Todd joining Iain Stirling for an hour of virtual laughs. 

 

Sponsoring the comedy evening is the Black Isle Brewery, offering students the chance to win a variety of prizes, with alcohol free options available. The Black Isle Brewery creates world-class beers using 100% organic ingredients while investing in sustainability in all aspects of their business.

 

Alongside the comedy night, HISA will be hosting an online celebration of female musicians from the Highlands and Islands, as well as free yoga sessions with Soul Seeker Yoga local to the Inverness area.

 

Open to all students studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands, HISA hopes the innovative Freshers events will kick start the new academic year, despite the external challenges currently facing the education sector. 

Commenting on the upcoming Freshers events, HISA VPHE, Jack Shehata, said:

“Freshers week is a major component of university for many and as a Students’ Association, we really felt the need to make our 2020 programme as exciting as possible to give our students the best start to their education this year.

“The decision to host a fully online Freshers was an easy one, and we’re confident that our events will entertain new and returning students while keeping them safe, which is ultimately our main goal. We’re especially excited to have some special guests joining us this year, and hope that these big names will catch the attention of our students and raise their spirits for what we’re sure will be an excellent academic year at the University of the Highlands and Islands.”

Stand-up comedian and writer, Ray Badran, said:

“The great thing about a zoom gig is that if the audience throws something at me, they actually ruin their screen. It’s great to be back performing and I’m excited to perform for Freshers week!”