Consultation opens in campaign for Highlands and Islands university

THE idea has been discussed for centuries and the most recent plan has been around for nearly 20 years.

Now a formal consultation is under way to gauge opinion on a future University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) ahead of the hoped-for confirmation of full status.

Views on the need for and the benefits of a university for the region will be taken until 22 November.

At the same time, a group of academics is scrutinising UHI's bid for full title on behalf of the Scottish Government and is expected to submit its recommendations in December.

James Fraser, the UHI principal, said: "We hope many individuals and organisations will take up our appeal to get involved in the consultation as they will help to inform the decision-makers on a crucially important issue for the people, economy and cultural heritage of our region."

The concept of a federal institution of colleges and research bodies spread across an area the size of Belgium linked by new technology was put forward in 1992 by Sir Graham Hills, the former principal of Strathclyde University.

It attracted little political backing until Michael Forsyth, the then Scottish secretary, gave his support in 1996. Within months the Millennium Commission had approved a grant of 33 million.

To date, more than 160m has been spent on the project, and it has been estimated a further 100m needs to be spent over the next decade. The title bid is backed by the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Strathclyde.