This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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University researchers break new ground
30/03/2006
Work to transform an Edinburgh city centre site into a leading centre for computer science and artificial intelligence took a step forward today.
The University of Edinburgh's new £42 million Informatics Forum in Crichton Street will create new facilities to attract top researchers and students from around the world.
It will generate world class research and opportunities for commercialisation.
Researchers from the School of Informatics, who are currently dispersed across the city, will be brought together under one roof.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"Edinburgh University's reputation in informatics is exceptional, making it a global leader in the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence. This is a highly important project for Scotland, that's why we're backing it with £14 million funding through Scottish Enterprise.
"This new facility will act as a hub for academic and commercial developments and significantly advance Scotland's position as a world leader in informatics."
University of Edinburgh's Principal, Professor Timothy O'Shea said:
"Scotland is already a world-leader in a number of areas of Informatics and, with the vision and support of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, it will become even stronger.
"The University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics is considered one of Scotland's national assets and one of the top five locations in the world for computing science and information related research.
"It faces competition, however, from other institutions across the world who are investing in similar facilities that enable cross-disciplinary research and greater interaction with industry."
Informatics is a dynamic, emerging discipline that encompasses areas such as computer science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science and linguistics. The building will provide opportunities for innovation, interaction with other research institutions and industry, and engagement with the wider public.
The Executive has provided £14m through Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian (SEEL) towards the £42 million construction costs of the Forum.
A further £5 million has been awarded by SEEL towards a strategy which will maximise the Forum's engagement with local and international industry, ensuring Scotland reaps the economic benefits that the project will generate.
The initiative is also being supported by the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Funding Council, the Wolfson Foundation and private donations.