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Photos: University of Dundee, University of the Highlands and Islands, Edinburgh Napier University and University of Edinburgh.
The vital role that university research and innovation play in society, the economy and the environment was the theme of a visit to Heriot-Watt University today by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey.
The minister toured the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), a partnership between Heriot-Watt, Robert Gordon University and the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. The Centre provides specialist advice on a no-cost basis to medical manufacturers across Scotland. The team at MDMC includes engineers, scientists, and clinicians, and has the equipment and expertise to support companies through prototyping and feasibility testing.
The visit also marks the launch of a Scottish Funding Council campaign to promote the importance of research and innovation for four key priorities within the Scottish Government’s programme for government. Universities across Scotland have contributed to a new collection of case studies to showcase the impact of their research and innovation in the areas of eradicating child poverty; growing Scotland’s economy; tackling the climate change emergency; and improving public services.
Higher Education Minister, Graeme Dey, said:
“Supporting research and innovation is of high importance to the Scottish Government, which is why we increased our underpinning investment in Higher Education capital, which includes funding for research by over £11 million.
“Today’s visit was an opportunity to see why the sector is so important – research at the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre is transforming the delivery of healthcare through its expertise in robotics, photonics and AI.
“More broadly, the spotlight case studies published today demonstrate the vital contribution of our research and innovation sector in supporting the Scottish Government to meet its ambitions around eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and improving public service across the country. We will continue to work closely with the sector as we work to make those ambitions a reality.”
The Scottish Funding Council’s Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska, said:
“At the Scottish Funding Council we have a privileged view of the incredible work Scotland’s universities do across a vast and varied range of research and innovation activities.
“The impact of this work is felt here in Scotland and in countries across the world, and it’s making a real difference to people’s lives, their prosperity and the future sustainability of our planet.
“The new case studies we’re spotlighting from today will help to spread the word about this amazing work beyond SFC, universities and government and help more people understand the importance of Scottish research and innovation”.
The case studies are now available on the SFC website.
