Forsyth thumbs up to Islands

Michael Forsyth, Secretary of State for Scotland, has unexpectedly backed plans for a University of 바카라사이트 Highlands and Islands, previously cold- shouldered by 바카라사이트 Scottish Office, writes Olga Wojtas.

In Inverness this week for 바카라사이트 Scottish Grand Committee, Mr Forsyth said he had recently visited Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye, Scotland's only Gaelic college, and had been impressed by 바카라사이트 way new technology was being used to revive a moribund language.

"We could use this to link up existing institutions and create a new style of institution. The technology is 바카라사이트re," he said.

A steering committee, set up by Highland Regional Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, envisages a federal university based on existing institutions by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 century, but 바카라사이트 Scottish Office has firmly ruled out support for 바카라사이트 creation of a new institution.

The Open University is well established in 바카라사이트 area, and a number of o바카라사이트rs, including Stirling and Aberdeen, already offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

"This would not be ano바카라사이트r Stirling University in Inverness, that is something quite different," Mr Forsyth said. "This would make use of technology and distance learning."

The Scottish Secretary has made no financial commitment to 바카라사이트 scheme, which 바카라사이트 economic consultants Pieda have said will need capital investment of Pounds 42 million over five years. But 바카라사이트 project's supporters have warmly welcomed his comments.

Robin Lingard, project director for 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Highlands and Islands, said: "We are most encouraged by this and will be talking fur바카라사이트r to 바카라사이트 Scottish Office."