Princess Anne meets volunteers during Life Sciences Innovation Centre visit at UHI campus
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Princess Anne was given an insight yesterday into cutting-edge projects and collaborative work during a tour of the Life Sciences Innovation Centre at Inverness Campus.
They ranged from an active health research project involving older volunteers to medical nanotechnology and the development of antiviral and antimicrobial surface coatings which have the potential to be used on surgical instruments, replacement joints and medical implants such as heart pacemakers.
After arriving by helicopter, which landed in the campus grounds, the princess – who is the chancellor of UHI – was greeted at the entrance of the £9.5 million centre by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire Col Douglas Young and Inverness Provost Councillor Glynis Campbell-Sinclair.
She was given a private tour of the building which is a collaboration between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
Along with NHS Highland, they will work together on academic healthcare research, delivery of clinical care to patients and the creation of new commercial opportunities, products and services in health science and technology.
Princess Anne saw at first hand some of the work and projects already being undertaken before she unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening in front of 100 invited guests including Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and now Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham.
Princess Anne said the centre was very much at the forefront of partnership and collaboration.
"It shows what can happen when you have the right opportunities to come together and collaborate," she said.
She noted there were still places available in the building. "For me, that is good as it gives me an excuse to come back!" she said.
Volunteers taking part in an active health research project were among those who met Princess Anne.
Bruce Morrison (74) has been taking part in the study is looking at links between appetite and food intake and activity levels in older people.
He was was going through his paces in the active health exercise lab as the royal visitor was given a tour of the building.
Mr Morrison, of Culbokie, admitted to the princess he would rather be outside running than on the exercise bike or treadmill.
He previously ran a business network which aimed to bring together people with ideas, business sense and money.
Mr Morrison said he was impressed with the design of the new centre which he felt encouraged people to meet each other.
"The whole thing is designed so people 'bump' into each other on a regular basis," he said.
"From what I have read and know about places like Silicon Valley, they have a system where people 'bump' into each other where they can share ideas – it is this cleverness of the design.
Follow volunteer Elaine Sim (74), of the Black Isle, said Princess Anne seemed genuinely interested in the project.
"I was very impressed – she actively listened and is genuinely interested in whoever she is talking to," she said.
"She asked why I got involved in the study and what I thought and if it would change my lifestyle – and I had to confess it hadn't!"
