Scotland's newest university 'will help reverse brain drain'

AFTER a 20-year battle, Scotland's newest educational institution has finally been granted university status - and its first move will be a massive recruitment drive.

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) passed the final hurdle to becoming a university when consent was granted from the Privy Council this week.

It is now hoped an international and domestic marketing drive will see demand for places grow.

In particular, it is thought degrees in Scottish history and Gaelic culture will be an attraction to the Scottish diaspora.

James Fraser, principal, said he hoped the university would see overseas student numbers rise from 250 currently to up to 800, a tenth of the total student body of about 8,000.

He said: "We particularly expect that the United States, Canada, Australia and places like that would be interested. Part of our mission is to ensure we reflect our cultural heritage."

Mr Fraser also believes other overseas students, outwith the Scottish emigration diaspora, will also be keen to gain their degrees in the Highlands and Islands.

He said: "We expect to attract many Indian and Chinese students with our renewable energy degree. Many have already expressed a great deal of interest."

Having full university status is key for attracting overseas students, as it carries more cachet for those willing to pay high international fees.

It is also hoped the move will help Scots who wish to remain in the Highlands to study, and stall the drain of young people to the cities.

The idea of a university of the Highlands was first mooted 20 years ago and the UHI Millennium Institute was formed more than a decade ago.

It is made up of 13 colleges, specialist institutions and research centres spread across the region.

Education secretary Michael Russell met university leaders at the Scottish Parliament yesterday. He said: "For generations, the Highlands have seen some of their brightest and best young people head away to go to university.

"Now, at last, the creation of a university in the Highlands and Islands can help reverse that brain drain.

"This has been a long-held desire for so many in the Highland and Islands, and the Scottish Government has been supportive of UHI's journey to this historic moment."

Similar rural universities in England, such as the University of Cumbria, used UHI as a template and gained the coveted status years ago. The delay for UHI has been the legal requirement for all universities in Scotland to have a research element. England has teaching-only universities which are relatively quick to set up. - research departments can take years to fully establish.

However, being a research institution opens up more funding streams, a factor that may be crucial in the current financial squeeze on the sector.Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: "We're very pleased to see UHI become Scotland's newest university. The University of the Highlands and Islands is testament to the diversity of provision available at Scotland's universities and the flexibility on offer to learners.

"The institution's university status will be an asset to the region and to Scotland."