A new £5.5 million videogames and cybersecurity centre, opened today, will keep Abertay University “at the cusp of new and emerging technologies”.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay opened the School of Design and Informatics today, which he hailed an “important investment in Scotland’s future”.
At the heart of the new facility is an emergent technology centre which includes a development studio for experimental games design and hacking projects and visual design studio for digital arts research.
It also has a lab for experimentation with virtual reality, motion tracking and augmented reality projects.
Professor Gregor White, dean of the School of Design and Informatics, said: “This incredible new space indicates the strength of Abertay’s commitment to excellence in the tech sector, providing a first rate learning environment for our students and top class research space for our academics.
“Our distinguished track record in games and cyber education means we attract some of the world’s best student and academic talent so, as an institution, it’s important we stay right on the cusp of new and emerging technologies. This investment will allow us to do just that.”
The new facilities will allow staff and students to engage with product prototyping, using rapid manufacturing technologies. It will also focus on Internet of Things and 5G initiatives.
The University’s long-standing relationship with Sony Interactive Entertainment will continue, with PlayStation development tools to be used within the labs.
Abertay funded the majority of the project from its capital budget. A Scottish Funding Council interest-free loan contributing towards green measures, including solar roof panels.
The opening of the new school adds further weight to Dundee’s tech cluster. Abertay already leads the £11.5m InGAME research and development project based at the Vision Building and the £11.7m cyberQuarter project, an academic and industry collaboration to be funded through the Tay Cities Deal.
Mr Mackay said: “The new state-of-the-art facilities will help to develop talent in the videogames and cybersecurity sectors as well as attract the best talent from around the world.
“The videogames and cybersecurity industries are two international sectors which have enormous potential for growth so it is great to see universities like Abertay playing a key role and ensuring Scotland is able to take full advantage of that.”
Abertay launched the world’s first videogames degree in 1997. Earlier this year, the Princeton Review ranked Abertay the number one University in Europe for undergraduate videogames degrees for the fifth consecutive year.
