SRUC and HIE partnership to benefit rural economy
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A conference bringing together international innovators in aquaculture, animal health and agritech will be held in Inverness later this year.
It is one of the activities planned under a new collaboration focusing on land and sea-based innovation is aiming to boost the Highlands and Islands economy.
The five-year agreement between Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth.
It follows last month’s official opening of the The £12.5 million Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) at SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Inverness by Princess Anne.
Princess Royal opens Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre in Inverness
Princess Anne hears about pioneering research at Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre in Inverness
The agreement was signed by Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of SRUC, and HIE chief executive Stuart Black.
A key feature will be collaborative activities including hosting the A3 Scotland 2024 conference in September in Inverness.
The conference will bring together innovators in aquaculture, animal health and agritech from across the world.
Other highlighted opportunities include roadshows, raising awareness of agriculture, aquaculture, and animal health sectors and their importance to the regional and national economy, rural community prosperity, and the natural environment, with a longer-term ambition of creating a regional and internationally-recognised cluster.
Promoting the development and retention of a skilled rural workforce within the region along with exploring the possibility of securing new funding into the region are also highlighted.
Prof Powell said the SRUC and HIE had a successful, shared history of promoting rural economic growth through applied research and innovation.
“This includes developing a programme of veterinary education to address rural recruitment and retention challenges, linked to the new SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine,” he said.
“HIE’s and SRUC’s strategic ambitions, while different, are strongly aligned. Collectively, our knowledge, networks, and resources can drive positive, transformational change and economic growth for the communities, businesses, and people who live, study, and work regionally and throughout Scotland.”
Mr Black said: “This collaboration agreement sets out an ambition to work together on activities that can unlock the region’s potential in land and sea based rural economic development, focusing on opportunities which have a sustainable and positive impact on both communities and the natural environment.”
