Ready to greet Jamie Hepburn on arrival was Pepper, 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.”
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