THE £116m revamp of a Hampshire university campus has been hailed by a Government minister as “a catalyst for research and economic growth”.

Universities Minister David Willetts said the new Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) being built at the University of Southamp-ton’s Boldrewood campus shows how industries and the academic world should work together.

The redeveloped campus, due for completion in 2014, is being created through a partnership between the university and Lloyd’s Register, which is moving its London-based marine arm to Southampton.

It is the largest business-focused project being carried out at any higher education institution in the UK.

Around 300 academics will be based at the new Institute, working closely with society, industry and government, making it the largest organisation of its kind in the world.

Mr Willetts said collaborations between businesses and academia are essential to helping kick-start the economy.

Speaking at the official opening of the SMMI he said: “Southampton has long been a centre of excellence for the marine industry so it is a fitting home for this new Institute.

“The world leading (research and development) that will be carried out at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute will be key to maintaining the industry’s first-rate international reputation.”