Witty Review calls for UK universities to play a bigger role in innovation
Mon 21 October 2013
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A new report for the Government says that the UK needs its universities to take on a bigger role in delivering economic growth if it is to be internationally competitive in turning inventions into successful businesses.
The Witty Review: ‘Encouraging a British Invention Revolution’ states that the UK also needs to simplify complex funding streams and proposes that “Arrow Projects” – cutting edge technologies or inventions where the UK leads the world – are created with universities at their tip, while local and national resources such as the Technology Strategy Board and UK Trade & Industry (UKTI) are lined up behind them to create the maximum economic benefit and to support export led growth.
Sir Andrew calls on the Government to back Arrow Projects with £1 billion of funding, either new money or through the redirection of money from existing schemes. Witty says that in ensuring a 'one-stop-shop' for funding rather than the multiple and complex applications that currently exist universities should be better able to support fast growing, innovation rich SMEs which have the potential to break into global markets and supply chains.
The Government has welcomed the review and intends to make a further, more detailed response.
Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts said: “We know that universities are engines of innovation and have an important role to play in driving our industrial strategy.
"We are already making strides to help commercialise the work done by universities under the Eight Great Technologies, which will help this country accelerate ahead in the global race. We will now consider the recommendations and respond more fully in time.”
The LowCVP recently introduced a new 'toolkit' to help promote SME engagement with the academic research sector. ‘Accessing Research Expertise’ is a main output from a joint LowCVP/Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) project which explored issues around the engagement of SMEs with the research sector.
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