This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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RSE awarded grant increase
17/10/2002
An increase has been announced in the grant given to the
Royal Society of Edinburgh. It will rise from its present
level of £900,000 to £1.3 million a year.
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Iain
Gray was in Stockholm attending a biotechnology seminar as
part of the Executive's Scotland in Sweden event.
He told a group of leading Scottish and Swedish
scientists that the RSE would showcase Scottish innovation
in science at home and to the rest of the world,
underlining the importance of science and skills in
securing long term, sustainable economic growth.
The Minister said:
"Last month's Scottish budget showed how serious the
Executive is about delivering on our vision of a
Smart, Successful Scotland. The massive increases
in funding for science and research can enable our research
base to modernise and compete in a global arena.
"I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce that
on top of this financial investment in the science base, I
am providing more money to the Royal Society of Edinburgh
to enable it to further develop its role in science
promotion both here and abroad.
"It is not only vitally important that we continue to
invest in Science - but also that we have routes that allow
us to show the world exactly what type of ground breaking
work is taking place here. The Royal Society of Edinburgh
provides one such route.
"Today's event demonstrates the role of the Society in
ensuring that Scottish innovation is showcased throughout
the world. The additional grant that I am announcing today
will enable the Society to forge new scientific links
around the world, opening up valuable opportunities for our
knowledge economy.
He continued:
"Scotland in Sweden presents a number of opportunities
to forge links between Scotland's own blossoming
biotechnology sector and Sweden's equally impressive
counterparts.
"It is by making these links, by investing in Science
and skills and by driving forward the culture of innovation
that we can have a
Smart, Successful Scotland."
Sir William Stewart, President of the RSE, said:
"The funding boost will be a great boost to the society.
It will enable us to do much more, both at home and abroad,
to promote and encourage the research excellence necessary,
especially in science and technology, for Scotland's future
prosperity.
"In the highly competitive world of the 21
st Century it is important that Scotland does
not become introverted or parochial. The world is changing
fast and we need to promote Scotland's strengths better
internationally.
"There are huge opportunities for Scotland through
working with the best world-wide. That is why the RSE is
delighted to be working with the Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences and the Karolinska Institute in this important
seminar on Realising the Potential of Life Sciences and
Biotechnology."
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is a wholly independent,
non-party political body with charitable status. It was
founded in 1783 and is committed to the future of
Scotland's social, economic and cultural well-being. It
organises conferences and lectures both for the specialist
and for the general public.
Life Sciences Day is part of the wider
programme - Scotland in Sweden. Held at the Karolinska
Institute and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences,
leading Scottish and Swedish scientists, researchers
and commentators; Scottish and Swedish Government
Ministers; and members of the Scottish and Swedish
Biotechnology sectors, were brought together to
consider issues relating to realising the full
potential offered by life sciences and biotechnology.
The day comprised discussion on the challenges,
solutions and values of stem cell research and cloning,
as well as an open public discussion on biotechnology,
ethics and society.
This item was first published on the website on Friday,
October 18, 2002.