This plan links in with SFC’s framework for prioritising investment in college estates, as detailed in the previous paragraphs. UHI ‘top slice’ As noted by UHI in its evidence to the Committee earlier this year (https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/education-children-and-young-people- committee/correspondence/2025/uhi-supplementary-information-23-june-2025.pdf), the University considers the ‘top slicing’ of higher education funding allocated to its academic partners to be no longer fit for purpose, and has therefore advised that this mechanism will be reviewed as part of its move towards a new Target Operating Model. 2 While UHI, as an autonomous institution and a Regional Strategic Body, is responsible for its own operational decision making, the Scottish Government welcomes ongoing work by the University to develop a final business case for its Target Operating Model, and both the SFC and Ministers will give this careful consideration once finalised.