Welcome to the Invincible Donovan University, offering "total knowledge" to every student.

Through meditation a thousand young Scots will, according to the legendary Scottish folk singer, reach a state of full enlightenment so powerful it will ultimately enable them to create world peace.

Donovan himself admits that it sounds like the kind of idealism he might have written about in one of his songs.

But yesterday the Glasgow-born star announced plans to make his dream a reality in Scotland "as soon as possible".

He will be supported by American film-maker David Lynch, creator of notoriously bizarre cult classics including Twin Peaks.

Both iconic figures are committed to launching the university and have already singled out three sites, including one in the south-west of Glasgow. However, the most likely site is in Edinburgh's Waterfront development.

The Invincible Donovan University, as the institution will be known, will offer conventional subjects and qualifications but with the added "benefit" of meditation to boost learning, culture, the arts and well-being.

It is based on similar so-called "consciousness-based education" methods used at the Maharishi Central University in America and at schools around the world funded through a foundation run by David Lynch, who appointed Donovan as musical director.

Outlining the idea at its launch yesterday Dr Donovan Leitch, as the singer and poet was described in the launch material, said: "I had this dream 40 years ago when I was learning transcendental meditation techniques in India.

"In the 1960s people would have said That's a dream, surely it would only happen in a Donovan song'. But I am now launching the Invincible Donovan University in Scotland to bring invincibility and enlightenment to Scotland's young people and a peaceful future which will have reverberations around the world."

He added: "It will be like when John Knox banged his fist on the Bible and said every village in Scotland will have a school, it will bring a similar change, minus the religious connection."

Lynch, who is also listed as a Dr, will sit on the university's steering group. He said: "I've seen what this can do for students they are diving into the infinite reservoir of creativity. I wanted to support this because of Donovan. It will be a special place."

The university is expected to attract 800 to 1000 students and cost around £4.9m.