£89million technology and innovation centre to be launched in Strathclyde

The centre will bring together 850 academics, researchers and project managers from the university and its leading industrial partners to work on advances in power and energy, photonics and sensors, advanced engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing and bio nano systems. Located in Glasgow, it is expected to create up to 700 new jobs and generate up to £100m for the Scottish economy. Its first partners include Scottish and Southern Energy, ScottishPower and the Weir Group. "Through this collaboration, the aim is to double the scale of research programme investment in Scotland in areas key to economic growth by up to £150m in five years," said Salmond. "The centre will attract millions of pounds of inward investment to the city, drive global businesses, create jobs, and support the development of the university's graduates and postgraduates." Global engineering company the Weir Group will create a dedicated facility, the Weir Advanced Research Centre, within the new building. The news marks the launch of a new approach to innovation for Weir and is expected to provide a pipeline of new product innovation and significant improvements in existing product performance. The company will also be creating four PhD studentships per year. Keith Cochrane, Weir's chief executive, said: "The University of Strathclyde is a leading technological university and Weir is delighted to be strengthening its long standing partnership through the creation of the new centre. We are continually looking for ways to enhance our reputation for superior products and materials and this initiative will ensure we continue to bring breakthrough developments to our customers." The construction of the new building is expected to begin at the start of next year, with the official opening taking place in 2014.