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Scientists swap ideas in Scotland

15/06/2004

A group of young scientists from eight new EU member states will arrive inScotlandtoday to attend a Crossroads for Ideas science workshop, where they will meet, exchange ideas and get to know a number of leadingUKscientists.

The Bioinformatics and Post-genomics workshop takes place from June 15-18 in Perthshire. A number of leadingUKscientists will attend and give presentations about their work, and as a result encourage participants to exchange ideas and information about their areas of research, and to develop mutually beneficial partnerships.

As part of the programme participants will also visit high-quality scientific facilities at the Universities of Dundee and Glasgow and at theWestern GeneralHospitalinEdinburgh.

TavishScott,Scotland's Deputy Finance Minister, will host a Ministerial dinner on the final evening of the programme atEdinburghCastleto allow all those taking part to meet and network with scientists and other interested parties.

Mr Scott said:

"Crossroads for Ideas is a fantastic initiative, bringing together talented young people from centralEuropeand theUK. I am delighted that the Scottish Executive is hosting the bioscience workshop inScotland- after all where better to learn about bioscience?

"Scotlandhas one of the most trusted and innovative educations systems in the world, withUKscientists leading in many fields. I very much look forward to welcoming all the participants to Scotland and hope they leave with a good impression of what we can offer, not only in the field of science but also as Scotland as an excellent place to live, study and work."

Scientists fromEstonia,Slovakia,Latvia, Hungry,Lithuania, theCzechRepublic,SloveniaandPolandwill be attending.

Crossroads for Ideas is a Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Council initiative, with which the Scottish Executive and the Royal Society of Edinburgh have been closely associated. The science workshop is one of eight themed workshops being held across theUK.

The workshop is based at the Ballathie House Hotel,Stanley, Perthshire. The programme for the three days includes visits to theSchoolofLife Sciencesat theUniversityofDundeethe Faculty of Biomedical & Life Sciences at theUniversityofGlasgow, a visit to the MRC Human Genetics Unit at theWestern GeneralHospitalinEdinburghand a Ministerial dinner at Edinburgh Castle. See www.crossroadsforideas.co.uk for more information.

Page updated: Saturday, July 17, 2004