Orkney Research and Innovation Campus Opening

That the Parliament welcomes the official opening of the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC) in Stromness, on 23 September 2022, by Fred Olsen; understands that the multi-million-pound joint venture between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has created a new and improved home for Orkney's world-leading marine renewables, energy and low-carbon sector; notes that the 3.75-acre campus, based in the refurbished former Stromness Academy and Primary School, has received significant investment from both the Scottish and UK governments through the Islands Growth Deal; celebrates the announcement from HIE and OIC that a £2.8 million package of funding has been approved to develop the second phase of development at ORIC, which is expected to create an additional 165 jobs over the next decade, building on the 160 already based at the campus; considers that ORIC provides a fantastic facility to foster co-working and collaboration between academic and commercial activity in Orkney who are driven towards achieving Scotland's net zero ambitions; further considers that ORIC will help strengthen Orkney’s global lead in the field of renewables research and innovation and support the growth and creation of local businesses, which, it believes, will help to attract and retain young people looking to live, work and study in Orkney; pays tribute to the long-standing support of Mr Olsen and Fred Olsen-related companies towards Orkney's renewable energy sector; applauds their recent donation to Orkney's 17 primary schools of illustrated books, Gaia's Energy Adventure!, which was commissioned by the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub and, it understands, communicates the benefits of renewable energy and encourages girls to consider a career in engineering; commends the support to ORIC by OIC, HIE, Heriot-Watt University, Robert Gordon University, European Marine Energy Centre, Aquatera and many more local organisations, and wishes all those involved at the campus a very successful future.