Global hunt for University of Highlands and Islands chief Potential candidates for a top post at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are being sought from all over the world. James Fraser is retiring as principal and vice-chancellor at the end of the year after two years in the job. Executive head hunters Aspen People are looking for his replacement. The firm has started compiling names of candidates in locations as far afield as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. UHI is Scotland's newest university in February 2011. It is made up of a network of 13 colleges and research centres in the Highlands, Western and Northern Isles, Moray, Argyll and Perthshire.