This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Donald Dewar Switches on Borders
29/07/1999
First Minister, Donald Dewar, today pressed the button to switch on a £1.1 million Information and Communication Technology (ICT) link between Heriot-Watt University's campuses in Galashiels and Riccarton.
Speaking at the launch of the ICT link in Galashiels, Mr Dewar said:
"Today the Borders has taken a huge step forward into the knowledge age. This link will enable students, lecturers and local companies to get the most out of new technology by widening access to and participation in education in the Borders region.
"Heriot-Watt University is committed to developing teaching and research excellence in the Borders and this ICT link will play a vital part in that commitment. Their commitment to the area is a clear signal that the businesses and people of the Borders can aspire to world-class performance and world-class skills learning. Heriot-Watt, Scottish Borders Enterprise, Scottish Borders Council, Borders College and the other local partners in business and education will have a vital role to play in making those aspirations real.
"This link is an important physical and psychological connection for business and communities in the Borders. They now have an on-ramp to the information super highway. That capability must be used to the full to bring lasting benefits to the communities of the Borders."
BACKGROUND
1. Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Borders Enterprise, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and European Objective 5(b) funding have all contributed towards the total investment of £1.1m to provide the world-class ICT link to the Borders.
The main network nodes will be at:
· Heriot-Watt University Centre at Borders College;
· The Tweed Horizons Centre which clusters some 20 innovative knowledge and technology-based new green enterprises including the headquarters of the Scottish Institute of Sustainable Technology;
· Borders College - upgrading the current links across its six Borders locations including Galashiels, Hawick, Duns, St Boswells, Kelso and Peebles;
· Additional immediate links include Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Borders Enterprise premises.
2. Future developments will include links to nine high schools in the Borders region. The high specification ICT network will support the related purposes of education and economic development in the region. Examples of benefits include:
· Access to/delivery of network-based or supported education, training, research, design and technology services from within and outwith the region;
· Integration of regional business, economic development and education and social sector partners;
· Operational business efficiency (e-mail, video-conferencing, file transfer etc) for business information and intelligence, for market access and marketing, and for electronic trading;
· Potential new and diversified business opportunities from Innovation in new electronic services;
· Attractiveness to inward investment including non-traditional, knowledge-based, professional and modern service sectors.
News Release: SE0183/99
29 July, 1999