New £90m research centre will create 700 technology sector jobs

HUNDREDS of jobs are to be created as part of an investment package worth nearly £90 million in a new technology and innovation centre.

The investment will deliver 700 jobs by 2013 in the ambitious scheme to develop innovation in areas such as energy, pharmaceuticals and engineering.

Under the plans, launched at Strathclyde University by First Minister Alex Salmond, the bulk of the posts will be created in engineering and research.

Ministers hope the project, which will also support 850 existing research jobs, will increase research investment in Scotland by up to 150m in five years.

Work on the 22,000sq m city centre complex to house the project will start towards the end of the year, with the aim of having it fully operational by 2013.

A Strathclyde University spokeswoman said that some of the 700 jobs at the centre will be created "imminently and ahead of the building completion" although the figure is not yet clear.

The 89m centre is being paid for by the Scottish Funding Council, which is providing 15m, with 11m from Scottish Enterprise and 57m from Strathclyde University. The remainder of the funds are expected to come from European Union funding.

The First Minister said the scheme was a major boost for Glasgow as a centre of engineering and science.

He added: "I am delighted to be meeting the academics and industrialists who will drive this project forward. Together, they will cement Glasgow's reputation as a powerhouse for engineering, science and industry. This city and this country will engineer the technologies of the 21st century, just as Glasgow once dominated marine engineering in the 19th century."

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.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is recognised internationally for its immense competitive hotbed of ideas.

"And now, as an integral part of Scottish Enterprise's new International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone which aims to establish Glasgow as a premier location for inward investment into world-leading technology and renewables research and development, we have the potential to deliver huge economic and social benefits, not only in Scotland but internationally."

University of Strathclyde principal Professor Jim McDonald said that the scheme "will help transform Glasgow and Scotland".

He added: "By capitalising on our leading, industry-relevant research, it will attract millions of pounds of inward investment to the city, drive global businesses, create jobs, and support the development of our highly-qualified graduates and postgraduates.As a leading technological university, we are committed to sharing knowledge to address challenges that affect every area of society, including energy, health, manufacturing and economics."

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson said: "Glasgow has already claimed a place on the renewables map attracting energy heavyweights and pioneers in the offshore wind sector, and we believe that by establishing this zone we will help reinforce Scotland's position as a location of choice for the rapidly expanding renewables industry."