The University of Aberdeen has appointed Dr Norman Gillies, Director of Sabhal Mтr Ostaig a centre of excellence for the development of the Gaelic language, culture and heritage to an Honorary Chair in Contemporary Highland Studies.
The appointment recognises Aberdeen's close links with Sabhal Mтr Ostaig and emphasises the University's commitment to Scottish Gaelic. In June the University senate passed an articulation agreement between the University of Aberdeen and Sabhal Mтr Ostaig, whereby credits gained at the college are now recognised for accelerated progression at Aberdeen University.
Professor Iain Torrance, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Divinity, warmly welcomed the appointment and said: "The success of Sabhal Mтr Ostaig in supporting the Gaelic language and culture has been inspirational. One of the reasons for that success has been the visionary leadership of Norman Gillies. The appointment to an Honorary Chair in Contemporary Highland Studies is both a way of recognising his remarkable achievement, vision and energy, and also a way on honouring the institution along with him and signalling the University's commitment to working together with the College."
Dr Gillies said this week: "I am both surprised and delighted. This appointment reflects very well on the institution of Sabhal Mтr Ostaig itself in that it signals an intent by an established traditional university to collaborate with a relatively young and specialist institution in areas of common interest. Aberdeen University is an institution for which I have a tremendous regard so this honour is very meaningful to me personally and it also serves as an indicator on the worth that people place on the institution which I serve. Sabhal Mтr Ostaig has built an excellent reputation as an institute of further and higher education in a very short time frame and this recognition also augurs well for the deepening of the already strong relationship that exists between the UHI Millennium Institute and the University of Aberdeen."