Thursday February 25th 2010, Guoman Charing Cross, London, 08:45 - 16:00

Innovation in Higher Education: Ensuring the UK's Future Prosperity

“We must safeguard the Government’s record investment in the science and research base over the past decade. We cannot afford to lose out on the wealth this investment can yield and we will need this wealth to continue our sustained investment in research.”

Lord Drayson, Science and Innovation Minister, August 2009

Overview

Universities are a key component in positioning the UK as a key knowledge economy at the forefront of 21st century innovation. They unlock the talent and potential of older and younger people. As centres of research excellence, they are key drivers of economic growth. They lay the foundation for further knowledge and wealth, and are a vital element in the development of communities and regions.

The recently published CBI Higher Education Taskforce Stronger Together – Businesses and Universities in Turbulent Times Report highlights the vital contribution that excellence in higher education makes to business competitiveness. Effective collaboration between the higher education sector, business and government will be critical to the UK’s economic recovery and sustainable international competitiveness. With the effects of the economic downturn a long-term knowledge transfer investment between business and higher education is beneficial for all.

University-led and inspired innovation has helped global competitiveness in major sectors such as pharmaceuticals and aerospace, and has helped to make our creative industries world leaders. Universities are working increasingly with small and medium-sized firms in their own communities to help them become more productive and profitable. Building on this good work, the Government created the UK Innovation Investment Fund to invest in technology-based businesses with high growth potential. This fund will help build Britain’s future by investing in key sectors. It will provide crucial support for the promising start-ups and existing small companies just when they need it most.

Higher education also drives innovation by educating and training innovators. When the Government launches its new higher education framework and skills strategy in a few weeks, it will address the sector's capacity to drive innovation by education and training. It is essential that students have the skills to succeed.

The UK’s strength in research is vital to our economy. The development of new science parks and incubator units have proved attractive to research-based businesses and given researchers the opportunity to turn their findings into new products and services.

This forum will examine the government’s vision for the expansion and development of higher education, its importance to the nation’s economic and social success, knowledge transfer networks and partnerships, business engagement, and the higher level skills challenge.

Agenda

08:45	Registration and Coffee
09:40	Chair’s Welcome Address Keith Herrmann, Deputy CEO, The Council for Industry and Higher Education (CONFIRMED)
09:45	The Future of Higher Education Andrew Battarbee, Deputy Director HE Shape & Structure, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (CONFIRMED)
10:05	Delivering a Successful Partnership: Investing in Enterprise and Innovation Encouraging university and industry collaboration and the sharing of knowledge The benefits to companies of research links with universities Multi-partner consortia model agreements Negotiating productive and fair research collaborations How business can work with universities to develop the skills that it needs Dr Alison Campbell OBE, Managing Director, King's Business, King’s College London (CONFIRMED)
10:25	Delivering Innovation in Higher Education UK Innovation Investment Fund Demonstrating practical tools and mechanisms which stimulate and support innovation right across society Creating a policy environment that actively cultivates successful innovation How can Government maintain business investment in R&D? Hugh Tollyfield, Deputy Director Business Innovation Network, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (BIS) (CONFIRMED)
10:45	Questions and Answers Session
11:20	Coffee and Networking
11.40	Developing the Route to Growth: Driving Innovation in Bristol Industrial Collaboration Industry specific training that is developed by employers Engaging with SMES Partnership working Research and development The socio-economic development of the region Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bristol & Chair, Research Policy Committee, Universities UK (CONFIRMED)
12:00	Research and Innovation: Research for our Future Healthy and vibrant research base Delivery of economic impact Underpinning sustainable future prosperity Global business, global research Translating research into impacts Astrid Wissenburg, Director, Communication & Information Directorate, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) & Chair, Joint Research Councils Knowledge Transfer & Economic Impact Group (CONFIRMED)
12:20	The Future Knowledge Economy How do we strengthen the link between innovation and enterprise Helping British businesses survive the economic downturn and build for the future Long-term support for HE interactions with businesses, public services, communities and voluntary sectors and the wider public Investing in successful partnerships Dr Alun Tlusty-Sheen, Vice Chairman, Association for University Research and Industry Links (AURIL) (CONFIRMED)
12:40	Questions and Answers Session
13:00	Lunch and Networking
14:00	Afternoon Keynote: Driving Innovation Through Successful Knowledge Transfer Meeting national and global challenges Funding and sustaining a strong and innovative national research base to support national prosperity in a globalised knowledge based economy The Higher Education’s capacity to drive business innovation through successful knowledge transfer Looking to the future and how to help people and businesses succeed when economic recovery gathers pace David Sweeney, Director for Innovation and Skills, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) (CONFIRMED)
14:20	Driving Future Growth and Global Competitiveness by Investing in Innovation Meeting the challenging demands of the economic downturn and increasing global competition £50 million Strategic Investment Fund – accelerating pace of business-led innovation Building Britain’s low carbon economy – investing in innovation to create solutions and new business opportunities £15m joint public sector initiative to tackle CO2 emissions David Bott, Director of Innovation Programmes, Technology Strategy Board (CONFIRMED)
14:40	Coffee and Networking
15:00	Maximising Innovation Through Collaborative Research Encouraging university and industry collaboration and the sharing of knowledge Fostering R&D partnerships in the UK and internationally Encouraging international links between business and academia The UK innovation engine – marketing UK innovation globally Professor Sir Drummond Bone, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Liverpool (CONFIRMED)
15:20	Questions and Answers Session
16:00	Chair's Summary and Close

*programme subject to change without notice

Exhibitor

Research Councils UK

Lancaster University

Audience

Delegates will include head teachers, heads of strategy development, scientific advisers, directors of science and innovation, senior economic development manager, heads of knowledge transfer partnerships, directors of technology and engineering services, heads of public sector research institutions, head of science profession project, curriculum development professionals, directors and managers of enterprise and business development, heads of engineering, directors of trade and investment, inward investment directors/managers and be drawn from public central government departments and agencies, local authorities, research councils, research and development organisations, regional development agencies, science parks, businesses and employers, the third sector and the private sector.

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