One of the founding architects of the University of the Highlands and Islands has strongly criticised plans for greater integration of its colleges, claiming it goes against the very principles on which it was based.
Lord Michael Forsyth was Scottish Secretary of State when the UHI was established in the 1990s and believes the latest proposals by current management is symptomatic of a wider trend for centralisation of services.
There are 13 different institutions throughout the Highlands and Islands under the umbrella of UHI.
At the moment, they all operate independently, but that is now under threat after the announcement of plans for greater integration to increase efficiencies.
UHI is now seeking an implementation officer on a salary of £80,000 per year, with the new arrangements to be put in place by September.
But Lord Forsyth believes the whole process threatens the vision on which UHI was formed.
He said: “The whole point of the University of the Highlands and Islands was to give autonomy in local parts of the Highlands and Islands to colleges that could deliver courses that were relevant.
“If you look at some of the courses which are provided by these colleges, they are very particular to the local area, they know what their local needs are.
“But having a lot of expensive people putting in place centralising systems is not consistent with the UHI philosophy.”
Lord Forsyth argued that, while management was insisting the prime motivation was not financial, it was clear that a lack of central support in terms of resources had played its part.
He added: “Hiring somebody at £80,000 for a 35-hour week has all the hallmarks of the Scottish Funding Council cutting back on what was a brilliantly innovative idea.”
UHI chairman, Garry Coutts, responded: “We’re at a very early stage in these proceedings and there’s an awful lot of things we need to work out.
“But I would offer Lord Forsyth and anyone else who has concerns to come and speak to us so they actually hear what these plans are.
“I can give them an assurance that our focus is on making sure our local communities, our students and our staff get the best possible opportunity to develop their careers.”
