The institutions are ‘helping to make a real difference’, says secretary of state for Scotland
The secretary of state for Scotland has praised universities in the devolved nation for their response to the Covid-19 crisis.
“Whether it is researching vaccines, helping to understand more about how the virus works, training health professionals or donating equipment to hospitals, they are helping to make a real difference,” said Alister Jack in a message of support to Scottish universities published on 7 April.
A number of Scottish institutions have responded to the pandemic, with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh collaborating on a project to understand the impact of the virus on the human body using samples and data from 1,300 patients. The team hopes to use the information to help control the outbreak and improve treatments.
Glasgow researchers also successfully helped to map the Covid-19 genome. While Edinburgh Napier University has transferred a ventilator normally used in its Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre to the intensive care ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to help the hospital cope with increasing demand.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Dundee have identified 38 proteins in the Covid-19 virus. The team now aims to manufacture these proteins to develop antibodies fight the virus. The institution has also provided two robots to help with the creation of the UK’s first national diagnostic centre in Milton Keynes.
In addition, Dundee has worked with NHS Tayside to establish a Covid-19 training hub, which will provide a range of training courses for healthcare staff.
The praise comes as the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, wrote to Research Professional News to say she was “proud and grateful for the calm and decisive leadership” universities have taken to deal with Covid-19.
Welsh universities too, and indeed universities around the UK, have been at the forefront of fight against the pandemic and helping the NHS.
“During the pandemic, UK universities, alongside prioritising the support and welfare of their students, have risen to the challenges posed by this outbreak and are committing their resources to fighting back; working alongside government, health services and their local communities,” said Universities UK in a statement on 7 April.
“Universities have responded in the face of this unprecedented challenge with great determination and invention,” said Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK. “The expertise and skills of university staff and students are central to the fight against Covid-19.”