Scotland is to have one of the world's leading centres in nutrition and health after a landmark merger between two institutions.
CHRIS WATT
Scotland is to have one of the world's leading centres in nutrition and health after a landmark merger between two institutions.
In a move which should ensure that Scotland stays at the forefront of world biomedical science, the Rowett Research Institute joined the University of Aberdeen to create one of the world's largest and best-equipped centres.
The Rowett Institute continues to advise the Scottish Government on the first National Food and Drink Policy, unveiled by Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead last month.
Mr Lochhead, in Aberdeen yesterday to launch the newly-created Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, said he was pleased to announce the government's £12m investment in the project.
He said: "The merger between the University of Aberdeen and the Rowett Institute will not only develop a world-class nutrition and health centre in Scotland, but will also provide a facility at the forefront of scientific research.
"Our new National Food and Drink Policy will benefit from great institutes such as this where their research can contribute to the Scottish Government's own objectives of supporting healthier and more sustainable food choices and the sustainable economic growth of the food and drink industry."
Professor Peter Morgan, director of the institute and now a vice principal of Aberdeen University, was enthusiastic about the chance to work on projects to counter unhealthy trends in Scotland's population.
He said: "I am very excited about this opportunity for Scotland to extend the Rowett's capability and reputation as a world-class research centre focused on nutrition and health. We will be strongly placed to address many of the challenges facing the Scottish Government in the implementation of its strategic objectives.
"Given the recent revelation that Scotland ranks second only to the US in the global league table for obesity, it is obvious that this new initiative has never been more timely.
"The health care of Scotland's ageing population is another example of where diet could make a significant contribution to health and quality of life."
University leaders hope that the new institute, part of the College of Life Sciences and Medicine, will be able to attract more investment funding and top researchers than either of the individual institutions could before.
Speaking at the merger's launch yesterday, Aberdeen University Principal Professor Duncan C Rice said: "Together with my colleagues at the University of Aberdeen, I welcome the cabinet secretary's support for our new institute. The benefits of linking the Rowett's nutrition expertise with the university's wide-ranging expertise in medical sciences and public health will lead to a greatly enhanced research capability.
"The new institute will be a major centre not only for Scotland, but also for the world at large, involving an unequalled number of researchers across a range of disciplines to provide an intensive effort on nutrition and health. I look forward to a very exciting future together."
The Rowett Institute has been based in Aberdeen for more than 90 years, with around 50 researchers currently employed. It has been involved in a number of high-profile projects, advising government and businesses on nutritional matters. The work carried out by the newly merged institute will be translated into ways to improve the healthiness of primary and secondary food products, benefiting both the rural and food industry sectors in Scotland and beyond.
The institute will work with the Scottish Government to develop the National Food and Drinks Policy, which aims to address the problems of rising food prices and poor nutrition, and to enable sustainable economic development for Scottish food producers.
