The University of Glasgow outlines big nanotech vision for Govan
April 26 2019
The University of Glasgow has showcased its vision for a nanotechnology and precision medicine campus in Govan with the hope that work can begin within two years subject to funding.
Designs drawn up by Gleeds for the £118.5m vision would see an area of derelict land close to the Clyde Tunnel to feed into a growing innovation quarter around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Conceived as a meeting point for industry and academia the cutting-edge facility would seek to establish the city on the forefront of innovation in both sectors.
Principal prof Sir Anton Muscatelli commented: “I have no doubt that the innovation agenda and industries like quantum technology, nanofabrication and precision medicine can be to the 21st century Glasgow economy, what shipbuilding was in the past.”
The move would mark a break from current facilities housed at the university’s Gilmorehill campus in the west end, which is itself undergoing a multi-billion pound regeneration. Plans to better connect both districts are already in train with proposals for a new footbridge connecting Govan to Partick.
The new facility would cement Glasgow's position as a nanotechnology and precision medicine hub
|
10 Comments
#1 Posted by A Local Pleb on 26 Apr 2019 at 12:34 PM
Designs offered up by Gleeds...since when did this form part of their 'expert' services?
#2 Posted by Heisenberg on 26 Apr 2019 at 14:18 PM
Now we're cooking.
#3 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 26 Apr 2019 at 14:42 PM
Design wise the proposed buildings are filler at best / low rent office park nonsense at worst.
The design would struggle to make waves in up country Hamilton never mind the centre of the town.
Regarding its engagement with a national economic strategy -- miss by miles / all it seems to be aiming for is middle class non jobs. That is all basic research and conference invites and no end product to sell to the masses.
Embarrassing that shipbuilding is seen as "not wanted on the Nats economic voyage". Real world issues that we are having today are not seemingly worth the effort. Or it might be that any lack of progress due to lack of talent, vision and drive would be out in the open all too quickly for the people involved.
Then you have the comment about building a local "Silicon Valley" when in fact we had and lost a "Silicon Glen" in the past 20 years. Not only are the people involved clueless they seem to have no sense of history as well.
Surely any research project involving the QEUH should focus on gap elimination, basic housekeeping and infection control rather than delusions of grandeur regarding eureka moments a long time in the future.
And then you have the location -- nowhere near the subway and nowhere near the proposed bridge.
File under press release / PR engineering.
The design would struggle to make waves in up country Hamilton never mind the centre of the town.
Regarding its engagement with a national economic strategy -- miss by miles / all it seems to be aiming for is middle class non jobs. That is all basic research and conference invites and no end product to sell to the masses.
Embarrassing that shipbuilding is seen as "not wanted on the Nats economic voyage". Real world issues that we are having today are not seemingly worth the effort. Or it might be that any lack of progress due to lack of talent, vision and drive would be out in the open all too quickly for the people involved.
Then you have the comment about building a local "Silicon Valley" when in fact we had and lost a "Silicon Glen" in the past 20 years. Not only are the people involved clueless they seem to have no sense of history as well.
Surely any research project involving the QEUH should focus on gap elimination, basic housekeeping and infection control rather than delusions of grandeur regarding eureka moments a long time in the future.
And then you have the location -- nowhere near the subway and nowhere near the proposed bridge.
File under press release / PR engineering.
#4 Posted by Elmo on 26 Apr 2019 at 15:22 PM
#3 What exactly does Glasgow University choosing to build a campus in this location have to do with the SNP? Why shouldn't people strive for better instead of settling?
#5 Posted by brian on 26 Apr 2019 at 21:29 PM
The jobs are always welcome.This isn't for politics and if you target one party .You should remember not to long ago in 2014 people in Govan were promised shipbuilding would continue with MOD contract for the clyde! Labours motto for the city Let Glasgow Rot.If it actually happens its positive for Govan.
#6 Posted by jimbob tanktop on 26 Apr 2019 at 22:33 PM
#3
You took a whole three paragraphs there before you decided that whatever you didn't approve of is all the fault of the SNP. Well done.
And if you think present-day Silicon Valley bears any comparison to 1980s Silicon Glen then I have a bridge you may be interested in buying.
You took a whole three paragraphs there before you decided that whatever you didn't approve of is all the fault of the SNP. Well done.
And if you think present-day Silicon Valley bears any comparison to 1980s Silicon Glen then I have a bridge you may be interested in buying.
#7 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Apr 2019 at 12:13 PM
The whole design vibe is very low key -- stealth development without the confidence to offer leadership and hope.
Interesting contrast with the QEUH with its Death Star attitude of look at me / come and have a go if you think you're hard enough --
totally out of place for a hospital but at least it has the confidence to announce itself to the world.
This new development just wants to hide away from the real world and hoover up public funds to keep a select bunch of white collar oxygen thieves in a lifestyle that will get them plaudits in their local golf club.
£120mill investment -- using in the main scarce public resources -- in a 1.5Ha site close to the river should make a statement to inspire the locals not hide behind a hedge and hope no-one notices.
And then you have the situation of the existing GU engineering estate -- Bearsden Tech is particularly bad -- surely a case of charity begins at home.
Consequently a good idea poorly developed and implemented.
Interesting contrast with the QEUH with its Death Star attitude of look at me / come and have a go if you think you're hard enough --
totally out of place for a hospital but at least it has the confidence to announce itself to the world.
This new development just wants to hide away from the real world and hoover up public funds to keep a select bunch of white collar oxygen thieves in a lifestyle that will get them plaudits in their local golf club.
£120mill investment -- using in the main scarce public resources -- in a 1.5Ha site close to the river should make a statement to inspire the locals not hide behind a hedge and hope no-one notices.
And then you have the situation of the existing GU engineering estate -- Bearsden Tech is particularly bad -- surely a case of charity begins at home.
Consequently a good idea poorly developed and implemented.
#8 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Apr 2019 at 12:19 PM
Location isn't great -- surely the subway is the link from Gilmorehill to Govan?
So why stick this development out in the boon docks rather than closer to the centre of Govan?
And then you have the local Glasgow meets the Clyde aspect -- competing with a heliport and a surface car park.
So why stick this development out in the boon docks rather than closer to the centre of Govan?
And then you have the local Glasgow meets the Clyde aspect -- competing with a heliport and a surface car park.
#9 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 30 Apr 2019 at 11:21 AM
#5 / Economic policy
Issue with this particular development is the raw academic focus on base research and need to focus on technological frontiers where it is all "strokey beardy / looking for inspiration rather than the perspiration end of the market trying to develop a sustainable marine engineering / shipbuilding industry for the Clyde.
We currently are facing quite a few challenges with existing businesses struggling with pretty basic issues as the world moves on and the jobs migrate to Turkey / Norway / Germany / South Korea and Vietnam.
More academic work needs to be done on the mundane and less on the esoteric / exotic.
We need research on engineering change management / certification / configuration management and design re-use.
As things stand with current issues we are more interested in the Cruel Sea than Star Trek and the focus of our higher education needs to remember that.
Issue with this particular development is the raw academic focus on base research and need to focus on technological frontiers where it is all "strokey beardy / looking for inspiration rather than the perspiration end of the market trying to develop a sustainable marine engineering / shipbuilding industry for the Clyde.
We currently are facing quite a few challenges with existing businesses struggling with pretty basic issues as the world moves on and the jobs migrate to Turkey / Norway / Germany / South Korea and Vietnam.
More academic work needs to be done on the mundane and less on the esoteric / exotic.
We need research on engineering change management / certification / configuration management and design re-use.
As things stand with current issues we are more interested in the Cruel Sea than Star Trek and the focus of our higher education needs to remember that.
#10 Posted by Glasgow Oldie on 24 May 2022 at 16:46 PM
What happened to this grand investment in Govan??
Post your comments
Read previous: Edinburgh Printmakers rubber stamp creative hub launch
Back to April 2019
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
News Archive
Search News
Features & Reports
For more information from the industry visit our Features & Reports section.