Microsoft man Gates to speak on research
MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER Bill Gates and the UK International Development Secretary are to visit Edinburgh University to discuss how agricultural research is helping communities worldwide.
Mr Gates, the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Penny Mordaunt will talk about how organisations invest in projects in Edinburgh which are improving the health and productivity of people and farm animals at home and abroad.
During the visit on Friday, they will take part in an event with staff and students to highlight how UK innovations are helping farmers in developing countries.
They will also announce investment in UK agricultural innovation and unveil a plaque to formally launch the University’s Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, a £35m research and teaching initiative to safeguard food supplies. Edinburgh University’s principal Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea said feeding the world’s growing population while preserving the natural habitat is “one of the greatest challenges facing humanity”.
During the visit, researchers from the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health will showcase their work, while experts from the Supporting Evidence Based Interventions project will highlight how developments in data-sharing and accessibility can help inform better livestock decision-making.
The Edinburgh-based charity the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines will discuss its work to improve the accessibility and affordability of livestock vaccines, medicines and diagnostics in developing countries.