More than 2000 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years at three new innovation centres being launched today by the First Minister.
Supported by £30 million of public funding, the centres – supported by the Scottish Funding Council and led by the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh – will concentrate on developing world-leading Scottish technology and life sciences.
In their first five years, the three centres are projected to create more than 2000 jobs.
The announcement was made by Alex Salmond during a visit to the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. One of the new centres, focusing on stratified medicine and innovation, will be built at the new Southern– one of Europe’s largest hospital sites.
The remaining two centres will develop state-of-the-art sensors and imaging systems and digital health technologies ensuring that Scotland continues to be a pioneer in life sciences, innovative technology, ideas and development.
Mr Salmond said:
“Scotland has always been a world leader in innovation and this new funding of £30 million, made through the Scottish Funding Council, for the innovation centres reinforces the Scottish Government’s commitment to Science and technology and secures Scotland’s place as a world leader in life sciences, innovative technology, ideas and development.
“Moreover, they are expected to create 2000 jobs over their first five years – an enormous number of jobs in a highly-skilled and high value field.
“This is an exciting new collaboration between all parts of public life, with Scottish industry, Higher Education institutions, multinationals, our small and medium sized enterprises and our public sector partners working together to provide solutions to demand-led problems facing industry in Scotland by supporting innovation for future growth.
“Innovation Centres offer game changing opportunities for collaboration between our academic and business base. The investment and partnership model is unique and their potential for growth is huge.”