Creating a Business Culture for Higher Education
in Wales 
A total of £50m a year should be made available by the National
Assembly to universities so that they can make a major contribution
to the establishment of new business in Wales. This is the recommendation
of a new report published on the 25th April 2002 by the Institute of
Welsh Affairs, the Cardiff-based independent think-tank.
Dr Gareth Jones, the author of the report, argues that the money
currently made available to universities for this work is too short
term. Also, because current schemes are too fragmented, it is proving
impossible to form coherent, sustainable long term programmes. Yet,
the importance of giving universities a third economic regeneration
mission alongside their existing teaching and research activities is
vital, if Wales is to become more prosperous.
The report argues that all higher education institutions in Wales should
be required to draw up programmes for the commercialisation of knowledge
and to produce long term strategies for establishing new businesses.
These would need to be presented to the National Assembly by the end
of 2002. The cost of researching such plans should be met by one-off
grants of £50,000 from the Assembly.
Higher education institutions would then bid for annual funding of up
to £3m-£4m a year for new business creation on a rolling
programme over three years, and should seek to involve private sector
partners. Successful applicants should also receive an additional £100,000
a year for infrastructure support for putting these approved plans into
practice.
Dr Jones stresses that the development of a new business generation
activity within universities should not be at the expense of the fundamental
priorities of teaching and research. He says:
"Welsh universities already have too low an investment in research
compared with other higher education institutions in the UK. Welsh
university research attracts only 3.7 per cent of external research
funds, compared with the 13.2 per cent that goes to Scottish universities.
Universities in Wales need to continue to give a very high priority
to strengthening their research capability as well as their reputation
for teaching."
The report, The Third Mission: Creating a Business Culture for
Higher Education in Wales, follows extensive discussions with
higher and further education. The report is available from the IWA at
a cost of £10 plus £1.50 p&p.
For further information contact John Osmond or Rhys David at the
IWA on 029 2057 5511,
or Dr Gareth Jones on 01874 730650
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