The following extract comes from the press office of the Technology Strategy Board. The TSB is looking for comments on its proposal for high value manufacturing technology centres, as well as registrations of interest from organisations wishing to form a centre:
The Technology Strategy Board has published its prospectus for establishing a new network of technology and innovation centres, including an invitation for organisations to register their interest in forming a technology and innovation centre focused on the area of high value manufacturing.
The national network of centres will work in partnership with universities and businesses to help commercialise the results of research in specific technology areas where there are potential multi-billion pound global markets. Sitting between the worlds of academia and of business, they will enable cutting-edge research to be pushed forward that can be swiftly turned into commercial opportunities.
The prospectus fast-tracks the creation of a centre focused on high value manufacturing, and outlines plans to establish a further six to eight world-leading centres in the initial candidate areas of energy & resource efficiency, transport systems, healthcare, ICT and electronics, and photonics & electrical systems. It calls for business, academic and other interest groups to comment on the proposals and help shape how the centres will be developed.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “The programme for technology and innovation centres is a key part of our strategy to rebalance the economy. We have so much potential here in Britain; now is the time to harness it and build the stable, prosperous economy we want.”
Secretary of State for Business Dr Vince Cable said: “It is crucial that we support UK industry to turn the discoveries of our world-leading researchers into world-beating products and services. The new technology innovation centres will help to equip UK industry with the ability to capitalise on the future global market opportunities by drawing on leading edge research.”
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts commented: “I am pleased that the first of these centres will be focused on high-value manufacturing as a strong manufacturing base is an essential component of a balanced and dynamic economy, where exports and investment drive growth.”
Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive, writes in the prospectus introduction: “As the UK’s national innovation agency, we are delighted to be taking responsibility for establishing and overseeing this new initiative, which offers a high degree of synergy with our other activities that drive innovation for the benefit of UK business.”
Further information is available here.
