Plans to merge three colleges within the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) network have taken a step forward.
The majority of respondents to a consultation were supportive of the reasons for the merger and direction for the newly proposed college, although some raised concerns about centralisation and job security.
UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland become a single entity.
UHI said the feedback would be used to inform the business case and plans for the full merger. The business case will be considered by the board of management at each college next month.
Support for the scheme was around 68%, with concerns being raised by trade unions and employer representatives.
Feedback raised “consistent” themes around protecting job security, avoiding centralisation, enhancing the student experience and protecting and enhancing the Gaelic language.
Another 10-week period of public consultation will now commence in August.
The timeline has been moved to allow more scrutiny of the business case and for further consultation to take place with staff and students when they return after the summer break.
The new strategic partnership would create an anchor institution of scale within UHI, supporting 9,000 students and 600 staff in 20 remote, rural and island campus locations.
The three colleges have already confirmed there will be no compulsory redundancies as a direct result of the merger, with all savings reinvested to strengthen teams, and that centralisation will be avoided through the introduction of local advisory committees.
If the merger gets approval from the three colleges' boards, the business case would then require Scottish Government approval. The project is working towards a proposed vesting date of August 2023 for the new college.
UHI was established in February 2011. It is a network of colleges, research centres and learning centres across the Highlands, Western Isles, Northern Isles, Moray and Argyll and Bute.
In a joint statement, the three principals at the proposed colleges to be merged - Debbie Murray, Sue Macfarlane and Lydia Rohmer - said: “We set ourselves an ambitious timeline for this project, but it’s important we take the time to ensure the merger proposal and business case is robust and the strategy and vision for the new college reflects the ambitions of our communities.
"By moving the next stage of consultation to after the summer, we can ensure that everyone’s views are heard, and that feedback is fully considered as part of a final business case, which has the support of our boards of management and the communities we serve.”
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