Tag: Ambition

Brief for Scottish Conservative’s Business debate on the Abolition of the Scottish Funding Council Board

The Scottish Conservative business debate on 1 March 2017 is based on the motion entitled: “Abolition of the Scottish Funding Council” in the name of Liz Smith MSP. This is in the context of the Phase One Report from the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review. The Report recommended the creation of a new ‘super…

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Response to European Commission’s interim evaluation of the Horizon 2020 programme

Horizon 2020 is the EU Research and Innovation programme running over 7 years (2014-2020). The European Commission undertook an interim evaluation of the programme to assess the progress of the different components of Horizon 2020 and to understand the achievements, efficiency and EU added value of the programme. The consultation closed on 15 January 2017….

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Scottish Government Debate: How Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme is Driving Innovation in Scotland

The Scottish Government held a debate in the Scottish Parliament on How Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme is Driving Innovation in Scotland on 17 November 2016. Universities Scotland are supportive of the working of Innovation Centres and the work they do. Our briefing contains key messages, testimony from business, our views on the Reid Review and…

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Supplementary evidence to the Education and Skills Committee pre-budget scrutiny of the Scottish Funding Council

Universities Scotland submitted evidence to the Education and Skills Committee’s pre-budget inquiry of the Scottish Funding Council. You can read that submission here. Given the changing context surrounding the Enterprise and Skills Review and in light of media reports, Universities Scotland thought it appropriate to offer supplementary evidence to the Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny to inform the…

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Response to the Science and Technology Committee inquiry on the role and priorities of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) interim chair

The Science and Technology Committee hold an introductory evidence session with Sir John Kingman, the interim Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), on 12 October 2016. UKRI is the single strategic body proposed in the Higher Education and Research Bill, to bring together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. We are…

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Response to The Science and Technology Committee inquiry into Managing intellectual property and technology transfer

Universities work to commercialise research in order to produce beneficial economic impact and as a part of their broader missions to deliver benefit to society. This work, which includes licensing and spin-outs, is part of a much wider approach to economic impact delivered through higher education institutions (HEIs). Following a call for evidence from the…

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Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review

We have been pleased to respond to a call for evidence from Economy Secretary Keith Brown MSP, as part of the end-to-end review of enterprise and skills support in Scotland that he is leading. Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions are committed to delivering impact in Scotland and the wider world and want to work as…

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Response to Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): year 2 – technical consultation

We have responded to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) consultation on the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): year 2 – technical consultation, which seeks views on the operation of the TEF in year 2, including the assessment framework and process. Read our full consultation response. Summary of our response: Scotland’s universities welcome the…

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Briefing for 7 July, House of Commons, Backbench business – Support for the UK’s creative industries and their contribution to the economy

We have issued a briefing to MPs ahead of a backbench debate in the House of Commons on support for the UK’s creative industries and their contribution to the economy taking place today, Thursday 7 July, Key points  include: Scotland’s Creative Industries contribute significantly to the economy, employing 68,500 people across more than 8,000 businesses…

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Brief for 5 July House of Commons, Science and Technology Committee’s oral evidence session on Leaving the EU: Implications and opportunities for science and research

The Science and Technology Committee will examine the implications and opportunities of leaving the EU for science and research.  Among those giving evidence will be Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Chair of the Universities UK Research Policy Network and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen. Universities Scotland has shared a brief with members of…

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