Govt: Abertay "a centre of excellence for the games industry"

UK minister Stephen Timms has called Scotland's University of Abertay a centre of excellence for the UK games business.

The MP for Digital Britain highlighted the games industry's importance to the future growth of Dundee and Scotland, noting that local talent reaches worldwide audiences.

"Scotland has rich heritage when it comes to computer games," said Timms. "Some of the world’s most iconic games - like Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings - have been developed around Dundee."

Timms was meeting entrants in the annual Dare to be Digital development competition, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students from the university.

Along with Media City in Manchester, the University of Abertay was recently awarded a grant from the Strategic Investment Fund to help create new companies, support established businesses and create jobs.

"This new investment will strengthen Abertay University as a centre of excellence for the games industry. Investing now means that firms can start to build and grow for the future," added Timms.

Abertay began the year by announcing its third games course accreditation by creative media industry body Skillset.