Cabinet Secretary to Launch Crichton Institute

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP is to officially launch a major new partnership for the south-west of Scotland at the Easterbrook Hall, Crichton Campus in Dumfries on Monday 11 March 2013 at 11am. The Crichton Institute is a collaborative venture bringing together a number of academic and business partners, local government and regional development bodies and is being funded through a grant of almost £1M awarded by the Scottish Funding Council. Four priority themes will guide the initial focus of the Institute - The rural economy and skills development, community development and placemaking, the impacts of demographic change and influencing policy and practice. Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Russell said: "This launch is significant as it will develop the existing good relationships the Crichton Institute has with business, the local community and other bodies in the south of Scotland to give students the best possible opportunities and deliver graduates ready to meet the needs of employers. "Bringing together a wider range of experiences, expertise and ideas in this way has incredible potential and I am looking forward to visiting the campus." In August 2012 the Scottish Funding Council awarded a four-year funding package of £961,000 to the partner bodies to develop a programme of applied research, business engagement and policy development. In addition to this a Regional Observatory is to be established that will act as a one-stop access point for information, analysis and evaluation of opportunities and issues facing the area.