Scotland’s newest university, The University of the Highlands and Islands, has appointed Princess Anne as its first ever Chancellor. The Chancellor’s role as titular head of the university is both ceremonial and ambassadorial and includes conferring degrees at graduations.
The new University of the Highlands and Islands has campuses in Stornoway and Benbecula – the university already has more than 8,000 students across 13 colleges in the Highlands, Western Isles, Moray, Argyll and Perth.
The University of the Highlands and Islands had its official inauguration in August with a number of large ceremonies across the Highlands and Islands
James Fraser, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands said: “We are delighted The Princess Royal has accepted our invitation to be our first ever Chancellor, we welcome her to the university.
“The Princess Royal has been a longtime supporter and has already visited many of our campuses. She joins us as we seek to develop a university which will have a transformational effect on the Highlands and Islands and attract national and international interest.”
The Chair of the University court, Professor Matthew MacIver, added: “This is a great honour for the Highlands and Islands and I’m certain that the patronage of The Princess Royal will be a tremendous boon to all involved in the creation of our new University.”
Princess Anne will be formally installed into the office in 2012 though the official date is yet to be announced.
