He said the discussions between the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University would enable two distinct, independent institutes to run their universities in "an even more efficient manner".

BBC: Salmond backs university facility sharing

Lots of people had been urging him to stand, he told reporters after being handed the honorary award of Doctor of Business Administration at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.

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The principal of Robert Gordon University later confirmed that they would be discussing sharing services with neighbouring University of Aberdeen.

BBC: Salmond backs university facility sharing