News

Secretary of State for Scotland visits innovation hubs

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, marked his first official visit to the University of Edinburgh by touring some of its world-leading research and innovation sites.

Ian Murray and Principal looking at Edinburgh Seven Tapestry

Mr Murray, a Social Policy and Law alum from the University, was welcomed to Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) and the Roslin Institute to learn more about their ground-breaking work.

At EFI Mr Murray was greeted by Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Interim Director EFI, who showed him around the recently-opened building.

He met with team members from Smart Data Foundry and Scottish Prevention Hub, two projects that are working with partners to use data to drive social and economic improvements.

It was fantastic to experience first-hand the excellence in innovation being pioneered at the University of Edinburgh. There’s some fantastic work being done, particularly in the fields of bioscience innovation at the Roslin Institute and through advances in data sharing at the Edinburgh Futures Institute that will enable social change. Scotland’s world-class universities are keeping us at the sharp end of innovation, something that is vital to the UK Government’s mission to secure growth in all parts of the UK.

Ian Murray MPSecretary of State for Scotland

Roslin Visit

The Secretary of State also toured the Roslin Institute at Easter Bush, which conducts pioneering animal bioscience research to enhance both human and animal health.

Meeting with Professor David Argyle, Professor Bruce Whitelaw and Professor Lisa Boden, Mr Murray was also shown Roslin Innovation Centre, a hub which provides facilities for animal research firms.

We are pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Scotland to see our world-leading research and hear more about how it is delivering economic growth and helping support communities. We welcome his interest and that of the UK Government, and value the opportunity to work with them to continue our innovative work to benefit public services, industry and society.

Professor Sir Peter MathiesonUniversity’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor
David Argyle, Principal, Ian Murray, Bruce Whitelaw and Lisa Boden in front of the Kelpie at Easter Bush

Related Links

Smart Data Foundry

Scottish Prevention Hub

The Roslin Institute

Roslin Innovation Centre