SCOTLAND’S FIRST Minister Alex Salmond will officially open Abertay University’s learning and knowledge-creation environment White Space today.

White Space is a £2.5 million development at the heart of the university’s computer games technology and computer arts teaching and knowledge-creation activities.

It is already a hub of activity, mixing the talents of computer arts and games students, PhD researchers, and lecturers, together with business people, broadcasters and artists.

White Space houses the planning and management team for Dare to be Digital, Abertay’s international computer games design competition for students.

It is also home to the planning group for Creative Scotland, part of BBC Innovation, and to Lesley Riddoch’s weekly current affairs show on BBC Radio Scotland, as well as Abertay’s own White Space Solutions company, dedicated to supporting local industry with digital business ideas.

The First Minister will be accompanied on his visit by Abertay’s principal, Professor Bernard King.

Professor King said, “White Space is a learning environment like no other that gives Abertay graduates an extra edge in the global knowledge economy.”

He added, “Our aim is to produce the graduates and the creative and innovative ideas and intellectual property that Scotland needs to enable it to compete in the global knowledge economy.

“Those who use White Space find it is the ideal environment to support the development of creativity and build confidence while learning about team work, cross-disciplinary co-operation and the significance of research, enterprise and entrepreneurship.”

The First Minister said, “The Scottish Government has high ambitions for developing our creative economy and this facility will help its strength to develop.

“By combining technology, education and innovation under one roof, the University of Abertay has created the perfect environment for building Scotland’s reputation in the global knowledge industry.”