Universities UK responded today to the launch of the UK
government’s industrial strategy.
Professor Janet Beer, President of Universities UK and
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said:
“Universities are key to addressing the big challenges mentioned
in the industrial strategy. UK universities are producing
world-leading research and innovation and are educating the
future workforce. At the local and regional level, universities
support growth by providing and creating jobs. Internationally,
they attract investment and talent. This will be particularly
important as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
“We have welcomed the UK government's commitment to increase
investment in R&D funding, and today’s announcement of
increased support for quality-related research is good news. The
commitment to increase investment in the Higher Education
Innovation Fund is also to be welcomed. Long term, the UK must
continue to move closer towards a target of investing 3% of GDP
in R&D, to ensure we do not fall behind our international
competitors. The White Paper’s recognition of recruiting the
world’s best talent must also be linked to an immigration policy
that welcomes and encourages highly skilled, international talent
to choose the UK.”
ENDS
Notes
- The UK
government’s ‘Industrial Strategy:
building a Britain fit for the future’ white
paper is available on the Department for Business, Energy &
Industrial Strategy website.
- Today's
Industrial Strategy white paper sets out four partnerships
between government, universities and business. Deals have been
agreed in life sciences, construction, artificial intelligence
and the automotive sector. Universities work in partnership with
a number of industries and sectors in areas such as research,
business support and continuing professional development (CPD).
Working with a university can help connect industries, bringing
together experts from different fields, and offering new insights
and building new links. For more information on how businesses
can engage with universities and develop a sector deal, please
see the Universities UK
guide.
