Hundreds of people help celebrate new Highlands uni

A CEREMONY to mark the creation of the new University of the Highlands and Islands has been held in Inverness today.

Up to 800 people attended the event at Eden Court Theatre this afternoon, followed by a procession to Inverness Town House, where a civic reception was hosted by city provost Jimmy Gray.

"We have supported a university for the Highlands because it will have a major positive impact on the local and regional economy," said Provost Gray.

"Socially our communities will benefit from the retention of our young people and from the influx of students from outside the region. This also offers huge opportunities for lifelong learning for our mature students."

A new Inverness College campus at Beechwood is set to open in 2014 and will be the hub of the university, which has 13 partners across the region.

The organisation was granted the university title in February after a 20-year campaign.

"This is very proud and important day of celebration for the Highlands and Islands," said Highland Council’s convener Sandy Park.

"It is important now to make progress with the UHI campus project at Beechwood, which promises to bring together academic research and allow businesses to benefit from the pool of talent involved in research and development on the site."

> Buy Friday’s edition of The Inverness Courier for more.