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Scientists from one of Norway's leading research institutes visited the Heriot-Watt campus this week.
Over 50 employees from Akvaplan-niva spent a few hours with staff at the Lyell Centre to learn about their expertise in marine and land geoscience, and discovering the state-of-the-art facilities the centre has to offer.
The group were welcomed by Professor Teresa Fernandes, Director of the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES) at Heriot-Watt University and by Dr David Schofield, Science Director, National Geoscience, British Geological Survey. They were then given a tour of the labs based within the Lyell Centre, including the BGS Marine Operations and Heriot-Watt's aquarium.
We very much look forward to the next steps and to increased collaboration between our institutions.
The Lyell Centre is a partnership between Heriot-Watt and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Exploring themes ranging from geology and geophysics to marine ecosystems, the centre's combination of pure and applied expertise employs innovative methods and technologies to societies' most important environmental science and energy challenges.
Professor Fernandes said: “It was a pleasure to welcome such a large delegation from a key institution in Norway which works in areas very akin to ours within the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences. The feedback we received after the talks, the posters and tours of the John Muir building and the Lyell Centre facilities has been fantastic. The enthusiasm and energy are clear and ideas and future plans are already being discussed. We very much look forward to the next steps and to increased collaboration between our institutions.”
Akvaplan-niva is an independent research institute based in Tromsø, Norway. It conducts research and provides services to the aquaculture and petroleum industries and government.
JoLynn Carroll, Manager for R&D, Akvaplan-niva, said: ”The breadth and diversity of the information provided to Akvaplan-niva by the students, faculty, and specialists in technology and innovation working at the Lyell Centre and the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences was impressive.
“I am hopeful that this visit will lead to the establishment of a long-term partnership based on the sharing of complementary expertise and resources to achieve excellence in research and innovation.”
Dr Tracy Shimmield, Director of the Lyell Centre, said: “We are delighted that Akvaplan-niva approached us to find out more about the Lyell Centre and engage with our scientists face-to-face. This has provided us with a great opportunity to learn about each other and connect and we hope this may lead to potential collaboration in the future.”