17 April 2007
New Science Strategy launched to position the Northwest as an
international centre of excellence
- New Science Strategy for the region builds on progress made by
the UK’s first ever regional science strategy of 2002.
- Strategy document is launched at AstraZeneca as they celebrate
50 years at their R&D Centre in Alderley Edge.
- Rt. Hon Alistair Darling MP provides a Government perspective
on the science agenda.
- Dr Edward de Bono provides the keynote speech following the
grand opening of his first UK base, in Manchester.
- Read a summary of the
strategy
The second Northwest Science Strategy, developed by the Northwest Science Council,
which brings together businesses, universities and other science
partners in the region to ensure the region competes
internationally and enjoys the benefits of a world-class science
sector, was launched today (Tuesday 17th April) by the Northwest
Science Council and Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) at
AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Cheshire.
The strategy reflects the growing importance, nationally, of
science and R&D investment as a key driver for economic growth
and aims to ensure the Northwest is renowned as an area of
world-class scientific achievement, attracting scientific talent
and investment.
Bryan Gray, NWDA Chairman, said:
“The Northwest’s economy has the infrastructure, critical mass
and business R&D potential to grow significantly in the coming
years and this Strategy aims to have the greatest impact over this
medium term. This is when we can help shape the growth of existing
companies and the formation of new ones, and help to meet the
science and technology needs of regional businesses through
co-ordinated efforts across the science base.”
The strategy focuses on industries that are critical to the
success of the Northwest economy and where science has a major
impact such as aerospace, biohealth, chemicals and nuclear. It also
includes activity and recommendations for these sectors, including;
improving support to both maturing and established companies, the
creation of world-class science and knowledge transfer, and
investment in specialist skills development.
The Science infrastructure across the Northwest has been
dramatically improved since the launch of the first strategy in
2002. Major projects include; Daresbury Science and Innovation
Campus; the National Biomanufacturing Centre in Speke; Liverpool
Digital; Infolab 21 in Lancaster; and Manchester’s Core Technology
Facility. In addition the Northwest’s research base has also been
greatly strengthened through investment in the Cockcroft Institute,
the new University of Manchester, the Dalton Nuclear Institute, and
the Northwest Science Fund.
Speaking at the launch event the Rt. Hon Alistair Darling MP
said:
"Science is at the heart of the renaissance of the North West,
helping generate the jobs and investment the region needs. We have
world leaders in this region from AstraZeneca to Daresbury;
Manchester to Merseyside science parks. The regions second science
strategy centred around coming technologies such as bio-health and
chemicals has a major part to play in building on that success. We
will continue to support science, we have more than doubled
spending to £3.5bn since 1997, as it has such a key role to play in
the country's and the North West's future."
Jeremy Scudamore, Chair of Northwest Science Council, said:
“We are delighted to launch the new Northwest Science strategy
alongside AstraZeneca's 50th anniversary celebrations, a company
which demonstrates the international competitiveness of Science in
the region. The new Northwest Science Strategy is all about
focusing our efforts to progress and develop the strengths of the
region. We want to be renowned as an area for world class
scientific achievement and attract new talent and investment to the
Northwest. This will deliver huge benefits, not only to the economy
but also for the health of the population, the environment and
society.
Following the official opening of the first UK office of the De
Bono Foundation in Manchester earlier today, the keynote speaker at
the Science Strategy launch event, Dr. Edward de Bono said:
''Intelligence is a potential. Thinking is a skill with which we
use that potential. The North West has enormous potential as a
region of flourishing economic activity, high quality public
services and forward thinking education providers. Against a
background of growing competition in the UK, Europe and the rest of
the world. This potential can only be achieved by increasing the
teaching of constructive and creative thinking as a skill. The
Northwest Regional Development Agency and the new science strategy
recognises this opportunity to increase the North West reputation
as a UK leader of outstanding scientific achievement.''
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
In 2002 the Northwest was the first region in the UK to publish
a science strategy and the Northwest Science Council, the body
established by the NWDA to ensure coherent and active promotion of
scientific excellence and a structured approach to scientific
investment, have now built on this strategy to set the priorities
and provide strategic guidance for the sector for 2007 – 2010.
The vision underpinning the new Science Strategy is unchanged
from 2002:
England’s Northwest to be renowned as an area of worldclass
scientific achievement, creating a magnet for talent and science
investment, a powerful driver for innovation and enterprise, and an
effective force for delivering benefits to health, the environment
and society.
This will involve:
- Growing and maintaining world-class infrastructure.
- Stimulating the creation and exploitation of knowledge.
- Developing, attracting and retaining talented people.
- Closing the R&D funding gap between the private and public
sector.
- Promoting the image of the Northwest as a vibrant hotbed of
scientific endeavour.
The Northwest has a £106bn economy, over a quarter of which is
directly provided by science and technology businesses It is home
to a number of world-class industrial laboratories, with total
business R&D investment in excess of all other regions outside
of the South East. We have strong, ambitious and vibrant
universities and Research Institutes.
The new Northwest Science Strategy focuses on three underpinning
foundations, six strategic pillars and promotion.
Three foundations
1. INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE
2. EXPLOITATION OF SCIENCE
3. SKILLS
Six pillars
The strategic pillars reflect the industries that are critical to
the success of the Northwest economy, in which science has a major
impact.
1. Aerospace
2. BioHealth
3. Chemicals
4. Nuclear
5. Emerging Opportunities
6. Strategic Science and Technology Sites
Promotion
Promote the region for what it is: an area that is buzzing with
scientific endeavour, with world-class people, facilities and
projects in areas of cutting-edge importance.
For further information please contact Neil Roscoe, Senior Press
Officer on 01925 400232 or mobile 07980 713282 or neil.roscoe@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/news or visit the
Northwest Science web site at www.northwestscience.co.uk
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
- Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
- Matching skills provision to employer needs
- Creating the conditions for economic growth
- Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
- Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life
In 2002 the NWDA established the Northwest Science Council to
develop scientific research and development in the Region. www.northwestscience.co.uk