£12m rural digital research boost
More than £12m has been given to the University of Aberdeen to find ways of using digital technology to assisting rural communities. The funding will look at how technology can help improve issues such as healthcare, transport and tourism.
The University of Dundee has also benefited, sharing in funding for work centred around Newcastle University. The funding is from the Research Councils UK's (RCUK) Digital Economy Programme.
The £12.4m is the largest single grant Aberdeen has ever received, and is expected to create dozens of jobs. Researchers will work alongside partners including the NHS, transport firm FirstGroup, and rural business and community groups. Prof John Farrington, of the University of Aberdeen's school of geosciences, and who will be director of the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub, said: "Untapped economic potential in rural areas is of crucial significance. "
Read on at BBC Scotland