The University of the Highlands and Islands (Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean) is a federation of 13 colleges and research institutions in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland delivering higher education. Its executive office is in Inverness. In April 2001, the Scottish Parliament awarded UHI Higher Education Institute status, and it now provides university level courses. UHI degrees were authenticated by the Open University Validation Service, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Aberdeen until 2008 when the UHI was awarded taught degree awarding powers (tDAP) by the Privy Council under recommendation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA); Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma courses are awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. University status was awarded by the Privy Council in February 2011, and UHI became the University of the Highlands and Islands. UHI has a number of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, most of which can be studied at a range of locations across the area.