Scotland's Economy

Reaching new frontiers

February 8, 2013 by admin No Comments | Category Economy, Event

Science contributes billions to the Scottish economy and supports 170,000 jobs.

Yesterday I met representatives of a Scottish partnership, announcing the award of a £100 million life science deal for Lanarkshire company BioCity Scotland and Dundee University – the biggest ever investment of its kind in Scotland, by the European Innovative Medicines Initiative.

We’re reaching new frontiers in space technology. On Wednesday I was in Glasgow to see Scotland’s first space satellite, which will be launched into orbit later this year on a Russian Soyuz-2 rocket. Makers Clyde Space are now establishing operations in theUnited States.

Our academics are building onScotland’s proud history of innovation. On Tuesday I was privileged to meet Professor Peter Higgs, whose work on the Higgs boson has made him a household name. His name will be known for centuries to come and Scottish school students will now be able to compete for the Higgs Prize in physics, to win a trip to the CERN facility in Switzerland.

Today the week rounds off with a sign of great promise for the future.

Dr Kirsty Duncan joins CEA

The Scottish Government is very fortunate that Canadian MP Dr Kirsty Duncan has agreed to join our Council of Economic Advisers. Dr Duncan is a scientist and her appointment to the council reflects better than anything else the importance of science to economic success.

Based inToronto, Dr Duncan is an expert on climate change, in particular the links with human health, and she has previously served on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with former US Vice President Al Gore.

Scotland has established a reputation as a world leader in research and innovation, with the people and infrastructure that continue to play an important role in shaping the modern world.

We recognise the major contribution that science makes to our economy and to providing innovative solutions to local and global challenges. We remain focused on finding new ways to support greater cooperation between academics and businesses to facilitate knowledge exchange and commercialisation, and to help Scotland capitalise on its quality research base.

Dr Duncan’s extensive experience and knowledge of health and environmental issues will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Council in unlocking the economic potential of the commercialisation of knowledge and to make Scotland a wealthier, greener and smarter nation.

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