THE planned University of the Highlands and Islands has earned top marks in a Scottish Office inspection and been awarded another #2.5m of public money, writes Denis Campbell, Political Correspondent.
Scottish education Minister Brian Wilson praised the university after it passed an evaluation to judge its likely academic standards.
The #2.5m will go on developing information technology links between the various institutions across the Highlands which will comprise the new institution.
During a debate on higher education at Westminster, Mr Wilson cast doubt on the value of four-year Scottish university degrees. Three years of tertiary education plus a year in industry could be just as valuable for some students, he said.
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