FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has announced a £30 million Scottish technology and life sciences project.

Under the scheme, more than 2000 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years at three new innovation centres.

Backed by public funding, the centres will be led by the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and will focus on world-leading technology and life sciences.

The announcement was made by Mr Salmond during a visit to the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, which will house one of the new centres, focusing on stratified medicine and innovation.

A centre at Glasgow University will develop state-of-the-art sensors and imaging systems and a third, at Edinburgh University, will focus on digital health technologies.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland has always been a world leader in innovation and this new funding of £30m, made through the Scottish Funding Council, reinforces the Scottish Government's commitment to science and technology and secures Scotland's place as a world leader in life sciences, innovative technology, ideas and development."

John McClelland, chairman of the funding council, added: "This is the first of a planned series of investments to establish innovation centres for Scotland's key industries. They will harness academic and entrepreneurial innovation to create jobs and accelerate economic growth."

Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University, said: "Both of our innovation centres will advance understanding of cutting-edge science and make a lasting contribution to the country's economy."