 The UHI includes education centres from the Highlands and Islands |
Scotland's first minister has praised the progress being made to set up a university in the Highlands. Jack McConnell was speaking after opening the Inverness headquarters of the UHI Millennium Institute on Friday.
The body is a partnership of colleges, research institutes and learning centres from across the Highlands.
Mr McConnell said the university, due to open in 2007, would ensure the area's "brightest and best" did not have to travel far for education.
The Scottish Executive set up the institute four years ago. It has 5,000 students at 15 locations across the region.
A committee of the Quality Assurance Agency is meeting on Friday to consider its application to award degrees. Approval would be the next step towards university status.
The first minister said: "Over the last four years the UHIMI has made real progress and this new building will further enhance the excellent services on offer.
"No longer will the brightest and best need to leave their community to get on.
"It will provide a vital link in the network of institutions spanning the length and breadth of the Highlands and Islands, improving educational opportunities and bringing full university status one step closer."
The universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Strathclyde have thrown their weight behind the Highlands plan.
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No longer will the brightest and best need to leave their community to get on
