SCOTLAND'S newest university will finally switch to its proper name tomorrow - the University of the West of Scotland.

The university was launched in August following a £21million merger between Paisley University and Bell College in Hamilton.

However, the controversial name change only won Scottish parliamentary approval earlier this month following an extensive consultation period.

The new university - the fourth largest in Scotland - is a four-campus facility, with sites in Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley.

It will have 18,000 students and include Scotland's largest school of health, nursing and midwifery, with almost 5000 students.

Education chiefs plan to invest more than £160m in the new university which will employ 2000.

Paisley politicians were particularly angy about the name change but Professor Seamus McDaid, principal and vice chancellor, believes the merger will create a more sustainable institution.

He said: "The name University of the West of Scotland reflects the institution's clear regional focus and commitment to enabling people across the West of Scotland to overcome geographical barriers to gain access to degree-level education.

"We have ambitious plans for our development and I am very confident this university will continue to go from strength to strength."

However, the name change angered rivals and, during the consultation, Ayr College bosses accused the two institutions of being disingenuous by claiming satellite campuses would work alongside local colleges.

Ayr's board also said both establishments had struggled to meet their student recruitment targets and accused them of "unnecessary competition" with local colleges.

But the new university says its increased size will open up higher education opportunities for thousands of people.