History of UHI

1425

Perth is identified as a suitable site for a University.

1581

At a time of increased vigour in the Scottish University sector, Robert Stewart, 1st Earl Of Orkney, Lord of Shetland, plans an establishment in his earldom, probably at Birsay.

1653

Sir Thomas Urquhart puts forward ambitious plans for a Highland University on
his estate at Cromarty.

1848

A proposal is put to Inverness Royal Academy to combine funds with the Mackintosh
Fund and Bell's Institution to provide a college in Inverness with power to grant degrees.

1931

Hugh Gunn writes a volume entitled The Distribution of University Centres in Britain,
highlighting the lack of university provision for the north of Scotland.

1946

The Inverness Town Clerk writes to the Secretary of the Scottish Home Department proposing Inverness as a suitable site for Scotland's fifth university.

1960s

The Government decides that the fifth university in Scotland will be located in Stirling, although a formal relationship with Inverness College is encouraged.

1975

November
Dr Farquhar Macintosh identifies the need for Learning Centres and network provision.

1990

Highland Regional Council publishes a 38-page report with a plan to create "A University of the Highlands and Islands" within a four year timescale.

1991

June
Highland Regional Council sets up a steering group to examine the case for a University of the Highlands and Islands.

The HIDB commissions Sir Graham Hills (formerly Principal and Vice-Chancellor of
Strathclyde University) to report on the best way forward.

September
Highland University Advisory Group meets for the first time.

1992

June
Sir Graham Hills publishes his Report confirming the scope for a federal, collegiate university based on existing Further Education colleges.

The University of the Highlands and Islands Project is born.

1993

June
PIEDA Report and Hooper Report strengthen the case for a University of the Highlands and Islands.

The Academic Advisory Committee of the Project formalises its structure into an
Academic Board and holds their first meeting.

The Northern Studies Centre joins the project.

November
A dedicated UHI Project Office is created by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The Sea Fish Industry Authority and Marine Farming Unit join the project.

December
UHI Limited is incorporated.

1994

April
A UHI IT task force is created.

Val MacIver is appointed Chair of the UHI Limited. Board of Directors.

HIE forms a team of full time staff dedicated solely to furthering the Project.

December
Professor Jim Hedley OBE, Principal of Inverness College, becomes the first Principal of a Scottish Further Education College to be awarded a professorship.

1995

April
Patrick Dark officially takes up employment as the first member of staff of UHI as IT Co-ordination Manager.

May
UHI Limited awards its first 12 research projects, with a total value of £44,000.

June
UHI holds its first research seminar (in Inverness) .

1996

The Millennium Commission offers, in principle, a project grant of £33.35 million

1997

January
Professor Brian Duffield is appointed Chief Executive of UHI Limited.

UHI signs an academic partnership agreement with the Open University.

February
The Executive Office of UHI is created

September
Val MacIver is appointed as the first President of UHI Foundation

Fraser Morrison succeeds Val MacIver as the Chair of the Board of UHI Limited.

The Scottish Office pledges £3.6 million to the UHI Project

The Garrick Report on Scottish Education calls the UHI Project   "…exciting and
challenging development…".

1998

February
The Open University Validation Service accreditation is confirmed.

March
The First Annual UHI Staff Conference is held in Inverness.

May
After a governmental review into quality and educational experience, UHI is praised in the Scottish Grand Committee.

June
Sir Fraser Morrison, Chair of UHI Limited, is knighted

Four UHI research schools are established

The UHI Student Council formed.

September
The Development of a University of the Highlands and Islands is announced as one of the Government's ten key targets in their "Opportunity Scotland" green paper; UHI Foundation take a decision to reconstitute UHI with new structures of governance.

October
Wick College, the first part of the Millennium Commission funded building programme, opens

Lochaber Opportunities Centre is reconstituted as Lochaber College and starts the
process to join the UHI Project.

November
Donnie Munro is elected as first Rector of UHI. The post replaces that of President of the UHI Foundation.

The first UHI Prospectus is launched.

December
UHI formally applies to the Secretary of State for Scotland to receive Higher Education Institution status.

1999

February
The Scottish Qualifications Authority agreement is put in place.

UHI appears in the UCAS handbook for the first time.

March
The first meeting of the UHI Development Trust is held.

June
Five members of UHI staff are among the first 24 members of the newly formed Institute of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ILT).

Highland Theological Institute moves into new premises in Dingwall and changes its name to Highland Theological College.

July
UHI wins "Network Project of the Year" in the Networking Industry Awards.

September
Deans of Faculty are appointed for the first time.

December
Thurso College is renamed as The North Highland College.

2000

January

Argyll College opens.

May
The Highland Psychiatric Research Foundation becomes an Associated Institution of UHI.

August
Professor Alistair MacFarlane succeeds Professor Brian Duffield as Director and Chief Executive of UHI.

December
UHI is confirmed as a Higher Education Institution.

2001

April
UHI Millennium Institute is officially created a Higher Education Institution by statutory instrument of the Scottish Parliament.

June
The Highland Theological College, with their BA in Theological Studies, is the first college to have an Honours Degree validated.

August
Professor Robert Cormack is appointed Director and Chief Executive, succeeding Professor Alistair MacFarlane.

October
Former Director and Chief Executive, Professor Alistair MacFarlane is elected as UHI's second Rector, succeeding Dr Donnie Munro.

December
UHI research in Environmental and Marine Sciences is recognised as being of "international significance" in the UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise.

2002

January
Rector Sir Alistair MacFarlane is knighted in the New Year's Honours list.

2004

November

Dr Val MacIver OBE is elected as UHI's third rector.

2005

August

Application for taught degree awarding power lodged with the Privy Council.

2008

UHI awarded taught degree awarding powers by the Privy Council with effect from 1 August 2008 - a major step towards full university title.

2009

August
First UHI degrees are awarded at Lews Castle College UHI

October
James Fraser is appointed as Principal of UHI.