The Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn MSP, today visited the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) Lanarkshire campus to learn about the cutting edge technology available and how UWS academics, students and graduates are influencing the way new technologies are developing.

Ready to greet Jamie Hepburn on arrival was Pepper the Robot, a semi-humanoid robot, used by the University to teach programming to students as well as providing opportunities to conduct research into human-robot interactions.

During his visit, the Minister met with UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Craig Mahoney, and a number of academics and students to see first-hand how work underway at UWS is influencing new and emerging technologies in a range of areas including advanced robotics.

The Minister was also given a tour of the new Lanarkshire campus which opened its doors in September 2018, bringing the future of learning to students:

£110m was invested to create a truly innovative, dynamic and collaborative university campus located at Hamilton International Technology Park. This close proximity to enterprise enables seamless collaboration between academia and business.

Innovative learning suites provide inspiring and flexible learning and teaching spaces designed for collaboration. These are packed with the latest technology to give staff and students access to some of the most modern university facilities in the UK.

These flexible spaces have been specifically designed to equip students with the skills most valuable to industry.

The campus offers first-class research and development opportunities, and hosts Scotland’s newest simulated nursing and midwifery teaching environment, immersing learners in authentic healthcare environments.

UWS Lanarkshire is home to Scotland’s highest-specification environmental chamber. This is one of only two in the country and the only one in the West of Scotland.

Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn MSP said: “I have been impressed with the commitment of UWS staff and the enthusiasm and expertise demonstrated by the students and researchers I met.  The new Lanarkshire campus is something UWS can be rightly proud of and I commend Professor Mahoney and everyone else at UWS who have made the campus a reality.

“As Minister with responsibility for business I am particularly impressed by the way in which so much of the work I have seen has practical application in industry and in the enhancement of skills - something UWS has always been renowned for. I see the Lanarkshire campus as very much in keeping with the University’s proud traditions.”

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, UWS said: “With the constantly evolving labour market of today, our students must graduate from their studies feeling empowered that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to flourish in a world where constant change is the norm. By providing access to cutting-edge technology, and allowing our students to use and interact with excellent staff and great learning facilities underpinned by leading research on a regular basis, UWS is helping to ensure this transition is a smooth one. Our graduate skills framework is embedded across the curriculum, allowing UWS to produce world ready graduates.

“We are also incredibly proud of the fact that many of our academics, students and graduates are playing a pivotal role in influencing new and emerging technologies, helping to shape the future and it was a real pleasure to put just some of this work on display today.

“We thank Jamie Hepburn for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit our Lanarkshire campus and I know how thrilled our students and academics were to be able to share with him some of the exciting projects they are currently working on.”