Council backs title bid for University of the Highlands and Islands

27th October 2010

Council backs title bid for University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute

Highland Councillors today (Thursday 28th October 2010) endorsed an application being made for university title by the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute.

The Council has written to the Scottish Government fully backing the bid and highlighting the economic benefits that university status will bring to the region.

In its response to the Scottish Government, the Council states that a university for the Highlands and Islands has been a long held aspiration for the area dating back since at least the 1960s when Inverness lost out to Stirling.

The Council believes there will be considerable educational, economic and social benefits from the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute's proposal which could have a transformational impact on the region.

Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council said: "We are 100% behind this bid for university title status which would be a major positive impact on the local and regional economy. Socially our communities will benefit from the retention of our young people and from the potential influx of students from outside the region."

Council Leader Michael Foxley added: "The creation of a university is one of the most important factors in achieving the area's full potential and contributing more fully to the economic and social development of Scotland as a whole. The proposed UHI campus project at Beechwood, Inverness, will bring together academic research and allow businesses to benefit from the pool of talent involved in research and development on the site."

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee said, "We should celbrate the educational benefits which will be demonstrated at a national and international level by the establishment of a university which is truly non dpendent on fixed locations."