Heriot-Watt’s ICIT and Aquatera to join forces

The International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) — Heriot-Watt University’s campus in Orkney — has joined forces with Stromness company Aquatera to establish a world class facility specialising in marine studies and renewable energy.

The environmental services and products company will now manage ICIT over a three year transitional period before handing over to a new management team.

As part of a new collaboration Aquatera’s managing director, Dr Gareth Davies, has been appointed ICIT director, taking over from Professor Jon Side with whom he established the centre in 1990.

The university has also employed a team from Aquatera, led by Dr Davies, who have conducted a feasibility study and review of ICIT, and will now work to develop a renewables campus and increase student numbers before the management handover.