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The Highlands and Islands could soon have its own university after the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) formally advises the Scottish Government that it has assessed the UHI Millennium Institute as fully meeting the quality and standards that university title carries.
It follows a rigorous review by a QAA scrutiny panel drawn from the higher education sector and means a final decision could be reached within weeks.
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary of Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
"I very much welcome the news that the QAA has assessed UHI as meeting the quality and standards that university title carries in Scotland.
"This is a tremendous achievement for UHI and is a key step in achieving its long held ambition of university title.
"The opportunities that university level learning has to offer the Highlands and Islands are considerable not only in terms of its economic future but also in terms of the social and cultural benefits this can bring. UHI is already playing an important role in enabling people across the region to access higher education without having to leave the area.
"I recognise that this positive assessment by QAA is the result of an enormous amount of work from staff across the UHI network who must be delighted to have their efforts recognised in this way."
The Scottish Government held a public consultation earlier this year after UHI's initial application to the Privy Council in May 2010.
James Fraser, UHI principal, said:
"It would be an understatement to say we are delighted, but we must contain our celebrations until a final decision is made by the Privy Council.
"To be considered worthy of university title by the QAA is a marvellous achievement and I must pay tribute to our staff, both past and present, and to our supporters who have brought us to this stage.
"We very much hope that the people of the Highlands and Islands will have something wonderful to celebrate in the new year when they finally have a university of their own."
The power to grant consent for the use of university title lies with the Privy Council under section 49 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992. In the case of a Scottish institution submitting an application for university title the Privy Council seeks the recommendation of Scottish Ministers.
UHI was awarded taught degree awarding powers on August 1, 2008.
It follows a rigorous review by a QAA scrutiny panel drawn from the higher education sector and means a final decision could be reached within weeks.
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary of Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
"I very much welcome the news that the QAA has assessed UHI as meeting the quality and standards that university title carries in Scotland.
"This is a tremendous achievement for UHI and is a key step in achieving its long held ambition of university title.
"The opportunities that university level learning has to offer the Highlands and Islands are considerable not only in terms of its economic future but also in terms of the social and cultural benefits this can bring. UHI is already playing an important role in enabling people across the region to access higher education without having to leave the area.
"I recognise that this positive assessment by QAA is the result of an enormous amount of work from staff across the UHI network who must be delighted to have their efforts recognised in this way."
The Scottish Government held a public consultation earlier this year after UHI's initial application to the Privy Council in May 2010.
James Fraser, UHI principal, said:
"It would be an understatement to say we are delighted, but we must contain our celebrations until a final decision is made by the Privy Council.
"To be considered worthy of university title by the QAA is a marvellous achievement and I must pay tribute to our staff, both past and present, and to our supporters who have brought us to this stage.
"We very much hope that the people of the Highlands and Islands will have something wonderful to celebrate in the new year when they finally have a university of their own."
The power to grant consent for the use of university title lies with the Privy Council under section 49 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992. In the case of a Scottish institution submitting an application for university title the Privy Council seeks the recommendation of Scottish Ministers.
UHI was awarded taught degree awarding powers on August 1, 2008.