Highland university 'a few years' off

The interim chief executive of the University of the Highlands and Islands has admitted it could be a few years before it evolves into a full university.

The admission follows the resignation of former chief executive Brian Duffield over criticism of his management style.

Critics say the collegiate-style university has lost direction.

It is still unable to award its own degrees because of a delay in being designated an educational institution eligible for funding.

Speaking on Radio Scotland's Newsweek programme, interim chief executive Professor Alistair MacFarlane said: "Part of the difficulty simply arises from the fact that it is new, unique and complex.

Professor MacFarlane: "Complex project"

"I believe that we are very close to getting designation as a higher education institution which, of course, is the critical step on the road to becoming a university.

"As I see the immediate future, the first effort is to acquire designation.

"The second effort is to make sure that this new, and I have already said, very unusual and unique institution, works extremely well and then evolve towards becoming a university.

"I think that that evolution will, in fact, take a few years.

"The institution has already passed with a very creditable performance the requirements for recognition by the Scottish Qualifications Authority."

There have been calls from Liberal Democrat MSP George Lyon for a report on the university and Mr Duffield to be made public.

He said the document, produced by former civil servant Kenneth Mackay, must be brought into the open.

He said the investigation, which was set up to look into allegations against Mr Duffield, should be made public to restore confidence in the project.

The project was awarded £33.35m by the Millennium Commission in 1996 towards the estimated £95m total cost.