The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Welcome to Perth, the ‘University City’– new roadsigns unveiled

Part of Fair City’s plans to become one of Europe’s great small cities

- Jamie buchan jabuchan@thecourier.co.uk

Perth is cementing its reputation as a “university city”.

Council bosses have unveiled new gateway signs to celebrate the city’s relationsh­ip with Perth College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Perth College is the largest of the institutio­n’s academic partners and last year there were around 3,000 undergradu­ates studying in the city.

The college is key to Perth’s longstandi­ng plan to become one of Europe’s great small cities.

Council leader Ian Campbell said the college was an important factor in future plans for the Fair City.

“Perth and Kinross Council values and recognises the contributi­on Perth College UHI and its students make to this community,” he said.

“It is very pleasing that so many young people have chosen to gain an education in Perth and we appreciate their contributi­on to the city in terms of investment, diversity and vibrancy making Perth an attractive place to live, work and study.”

In partnershi­p with Perth College UHI the local authority has been working to accelerate growth and developmen­t across the city, to enhance its economic, social and cultural impact and make it more exciting and cosmopolit­an.

The redundant St John’s Primary school building in the city’s Stormont Street is being transforme­d into a hub for up-and-coming creative talents. Perth College is a key stakeholde­r in this project.

It is hoped the hub will become a home to workshops, studios and flexible business spaces and will provide a supporting environmen­t to allow ideas to be nurtured, particular­ly in creative industries, technology and digital media.

The council wants Perth College to become a more visible and influentia­l presence in the city centre, while encouragin­g other universiti­es and research centres to establish a presence in the area through satellite learning centres, commercial­isation units and other facilities.

College principal Margaret Cook said: “It was good to see the updated signs officially recognisin­g Perth as a university city. It raises the profile of both the city and Perth College UHI.”

John Bullough, chairman of the Perth city developmen­t board, added: “One of the key themes of the Perth City Plan, our 20-year vision to make Perth a great small European city, is to enhance our status as a university city.

“Every successful city in the world has a thriving university at its heart and Perth City Developmen­t Board look forward to assisting Perth College UHI in the continued developmen­t of their further and higher education curriculum.”

It raises the profile of both the city and Perth College UHI.

PRINCIPAL MARGARET COOK

 ?? Picture: Steve MacDougall. ?? Principal of Perth College UHI Margaret Cook and council leader Ian Campbell at one of the signs on the A85, Dundee Road, Perth.
Picture: Steve MacDougall. Principal of Perth College UHI Margaret Cook and council leader Ian Campbell at one of the signs on the A85, Dundee Road, Perth.

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