This week saw the launch of a new video case study campaign
by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), highlighting the way in
which the sector is embracing support to innovate and grow
The videos feature the perspectives of a range of contributors: from public
sector funders, enterprise agencies and institutions, to private sector
companies.
Championing the vital relationship between innovation and the future competitiveness
of Scotland is Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation at the
Scottish Funding Council.
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Tom Ashton, Xelect, front of camera
Image credit: SAIC |
In his video, Dr Fancey says, “The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre has
been remarkable in its clarity of purpose, led by the industry itself directing
the academic community exactly towards the projects and the challenges that it
needs to be addressed. It is utterly thrilling for my colleagues at the Funding
Council and enterprise agencies to see the way that Scottish industry – the
aquaculture industry foremost amongst them – is working closely with colleagues
in the academic sectors, both universities and colleges.
“It’s really exciting to see not just ideas being turned into commercial
answers and opportunities, but also to see the way that the industry is working
with the academic community to develop its own future skills needs.”
Elaine Jamieson, Head of Food and Drink at Highlands and Islands Enterprise
(HIE), reflects on HIE’s recent collaboration with SAIC on ‘Accelerating
Aquaculture Innovation’ – the new £1m match-funding programme to help small to
medium enterprises (SMEs) commercialise new supply chain innovations.
The video case study campaign also features the views of three such Scottish
SMEs, with contributions from Alban Denton, Managing Director at Loch Duart;
Michael Tait, Chairman of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group; and Dr Tom
Ashton, Operations Director at Xelect.
Providing the academic perspective meanwhile, is Professor Hervé Migaud,
Director of Research at the University of Stirling’s world-renowned Institute
of Aquaculture.
SAIC CEO Heather Jones commented, “Regular conversation with our
industry-academic partners and key stakeholders is essential to ensuring that
SAIC is adding value where the sector needs it most. These videos are an
extension of those ongoing conversations, providing a snapshot of where we’re
getting it right, while also inspiring ideas for what more we could do to be of
support to the sector. We’re always listening, always responding. Our sincere
thanks go to all those who gave their time to appear in the videos.”
The six-strong suite of videos, produced and directed by Rare Bird Media in
Edinburgh in partnership with Garland PR, are available to view at SAIC’s
YouTube channel and are being promoted across a week-long social media
campaign.
More video case studies are already in production and will be released in early
2018.
Visit the SAIC Youtube channel, HERE.
Visit the SAIC website, HERE.
