LifeScan Scotland Ltd and University of the Highlands and Islands sign partnership agreement
LifeScan Scotland Ltd and the University of the Highlands and Islands have signed a ‘partnership agreement’ to work together to ensure the region has the people and skills it needs to support the diabetes industry.
LifeScan Scotland Ltd, a medical device company which designs and manufactures blood glucose monitoring kits for the global diabetes market, is one of the largest private employers in the Highlands. Its presence is a significant contributor to the economic stability and growth of the region.
The non-binding agreement reinforces an existing partnership between the two organisations, putting their shared Inverness site at the forefront of diabetes research in Scotland. The Highland Diabetes Institute, based at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness, is an innovative centre which brings together the university’s department of diabetes and cardiovascular science, some of LifeScan Scotland’s research and development staff and NHS Highland’s Diabetes Clinic under one roof so they can collaborate on topics of mutual interest.
Welcoming the agreement, Willie Printie, LifeScan Scotland Ltd managing director, said: “For many years LifeScan Scotland and the University of the Highlands and Islands have collaborated on various projects. This agreement is an exciting progression in the partnership as it allows one steering group to oversee all projects and identify and develop even more opportunities to collaborate. ”
James Fraser, principal and vice-chancellor, said: “The university is delighted to sign this collaborative agreement with LifeScan Scotland Ltd. Our partnership of 13 colleges and research centres is unique in encompassing both further and higher education and in covering the whole of the Highlands and Islands, including Moray, Perth and Kinross.
“Working with LifeScan Scotland, we believe our highly trained staff and world class researchers can play a key role in supporting the transformation of the Highlands and Islands’ economy by ensuring the Highlands has a workforce with the skills needed to service this important industry.”
A steering group will be formed to facilitate co-operation between the two organisations. Key areas for collaboration and opportunity exist across skills development in engineering, the life sciences, leadership and management development and innovation and research.
Media contacts
University of the Highlands and Islands
Alison Lochhead
Communications manager
Tel: 01463 279222
Email: alison.lochhead@uhi.ac.uk
LifeScan Scotland Ltd
Robert Sutherland
Senior communications and CSR specialist
Tel: 01463 721020
Email: rsuther1@its.jnj.com
Notes to Editors
Full text of partnership agreement :
LifeScan Scotland Limited and the University of the Highlands and Islands
A Partnership Agreement
Diabetes presents one of the greatest threats to the health of nations across the globe. As a key part of Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Solutions Companies, LifeScan Scotland Limited plays a vital role in providing Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose solutions for people with diabetes world-wide. Its presence in the Highlands and Islands also makes it a significant contributor to the economic stability and growth of the region.
Both LifeScan Scotland Limited and the University of the Highlands and Islands recognise the importance of collaboration to ensure that the skills and people are in place to take advantage of this opportunity. The overall objective of the partnership is to bring focus to the relationship, thereby increasing the effectiveness of each.
This partnership agreement commits both parties to work together. A steering group will be formed to oversee collaboration and to instigate cooperation between LifeScan Scotland Limited and the University. Key areas for collaboration exist across skills development in Engineering, in the Life Sciences, in Leadership and Management Development and in Innovation and Research.
We are already working together in a number of areas and we are encouraged by the progress we have made. This collaboration will serve to formalise and to enhance the partnership. This Memorandum of Understanding is a non-binding agreement and will be reviewed after a period of three years from the date of signing.