The Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont MSP today gave her support to Dundee’s growing computer games cluster during a visit to the University of Abertay Dundee.
During the visit, Ms Lamont saw the UK Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education, met students on Abertay’s world-renowned courses and saw games they have developed.
Dundee MP Jim McGovern, North East Scotland MSP Jenny Marra and Glasgow East MP Margaret Curran also saw toured the university as part of their visit to Dundee for the Scottish Labour conference.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont MSP said: "I am delighted to be in Dundee and delighted to be at Abertay University.
"The success of this university has always been based around an understanding of the needs of its students.
"Its determination to remain cutting-edge is admirable and widely recognised not just in Scotland but much further afield.
"Scotland's universities must remain world-class, able to provide not just sound education and research, but play a role in driving the economy and creating growth and opportunities for the next generation.
"That is certainly something Abertay provides and its computer game programming courses are world-famous and support a whole creative industry in Dundee."
Dr Louis Natanson, who leads computer games education at Abertay University, said: “We are delighted to welcome Johann Lamont MSP to Abertay University to see how we are producing the next generation of computer games programmers, artists and entrepreneurs.
“Dundee’s computer games cluster is developing widespread recognition as a sector with huge economic potential for the future.
“Through our Prototype Fund for investing in new companies, and local initiatives like the proposed flexible offices for start-ups built from shipping containers, we are seeing a growing enterprising, entrepreneurial culture in the city.
“There is a lot of hard work to come, but the future for games in Dundee is very promising indeed.”
Ms Lamont met students who have come to Dundee from across the world for Abertay University’s courses, many of whom look to stay for further study, work and to form new businesses.
The student computer games on show included new work on major consoles like the Sony PlayStation, as well as smaller games created for mobile phones and the iPad.