The University of the Highlands and Islands is a federation of 13 colleges and research institutions in the Highlands and Islands of Scotlanddelivering higher education. Its executive office is in Inverness. While the University of the Highlands and Islands is Scotland's newest university, many of its 13 colleges and research institutions have longer histories, the earliest having been founded in the 19th Century. In April 2001, it became known as the UHI Millennium Institute, following the Scottish Parliamentawarding Higher Education Institute status. ersity status was awarded by the Privy Council in February 2011, and UHI became the University of the Highlands and Islands.