New, data-driven innovation centre for veterinary science has been approved for funding.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have made a successful bid to create a new data-driven innovation centre for veterinary science in Inverness.

The European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020 awarded £4.1 million to part-fund the development of a new rural veterinary hub within SRUC’s northern faculty.

Site sold

The new building will be located on the Inverness campus, which has been developed by HIE.

SRUC has committed an additional £2.8 million to the £7 million project. This investment comes, in part, from the sale of SRUC’s site at Drummondhill in Inverness.

Big data

The rural veterinary hub will focus on animal health, using new technology and big data to research livestock, wildlife, marine mammals and aquaculture health.

Researchers will collaborate with NHS Highland to examine links with human health.

Jobs

The rural veterinary hub will also create and support the development of new businesses, products and services and help to grow Inverness’ international reputation in epidemiology.

It is expected to create a number of new high-value jobs in the region.

Opportunities

George Gunn, SRUC’s head of veterinary epidemiology, said: “The emphasis of the rural veterinary hub will be on practical science – pooling expertise from a range of institutions – to build commercial opportunities.

“The initial focus will be on the Highlands and Islands but the work will be applicable to rural businesses and communities across Scotland and internationally.”