Deputy First Minister visits Field Station for the IBIS Project Launch in Scotland

Issued: Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:19:00 GMT

The Scotland Government Deputy First Minister visited IBIS's facility, the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE), on 18 February 2013. With the Principal of the University of Glasgow and the Director of the SEUPB JTS, Nicola Sturgeon MSP inspected the research wing, that is the hub for the University of Glasgow's participation in IBIS. Alongside private donations, the expansion of SCENE is being funded by the EU through the IBIS project.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"The University of Glasgow has a global reputation for spearheading world class research. I recognise the distinct contribution being made by the University to the European-funded £8 million IBIS project, in partnership with other institutions from Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is important that we capitalise on Scotland's strengths. This investment reinforces our reputation as a dynamic and innovative nation."

In November 2012  construction work began on a new phase to expand facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at SCENE. The new expansion project will create a new lecture theatre, teaching laboratory, specialist stores and accommodation for 45 students and teachers. Professor Colin Adams, director of SCENE (pictured with the Principal and the Deputy First Minister), explained:

"When SCENE was established 70 years ago there was no equivalent research centre in the UK. Generations of researchers from a wide range of disciplines have developed our understanding of Scotland's diverse and fascinating natural environment and helped the centre build an enviable international reputation. When construction of our new facilities is completed next year we will be well-placed to ensure that we can maintain our high quality of research and train more graduates to work in skilled environmental jobs."

Lorraine McCourt, Joint Technical Secretariat Director at the Special EU Programmes Body (pictured with Colin Adams), said:

"We can see here at first hand how, by using EU funding, the IBIS project partners are collaborating in 12 doctoral and 34 masters projects to deliver a total of 70 researcher-years of applied study, 16 Continuing Professional Development courses and 12 Knowledge Transfer workshops by 2015. This will create an important legacy of expertise in sustainable aquatic resources management on a cross-border basis throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland."

The Deputy First Minister also talked with IBIS participants from the Loughs Agency and from Queen's University Belfast. She then toured the research wing at SCENE and was briefed by IBIS researchers on their work.

Good progress has been made on the construction of the new teaching and training wing of the SCENE facility. The important stage of the erection of the supporting steelwork has been passed. The DFM was able to see the first reinforced block walls put in place.