EDT(2) SP 6

Sent: 21 September 2005 13:13
To: Committee, Economic Development & Transport
Subject: Science Policy in Wales

Further to your letter inviting contributions I would make the following comments:1. Wales does not have a highly recognised level of research. The HE sector does not seen synonymous with research in any      particular sector or area and greater effort needs to be made to raise the profile of research undertaken. In order to achieve this it may be desirable/necessary to enhance research presentation to a broader audience and at higher profile locations,not necessarily in Wales2. There is a need to consider any duplication of effort by HE providers that may dilute the level and quality of any research undertaken.This could result in a greater focus for sector research at specific locations. This may not be palatable to some institutions.3. Do the universities require more effective marketing of their skills to the business sector? This raises the question of academic skills (in marketing terms) compared to 'real life’ marketing skills.4. More needs to be done to encourage Welsh SMEs to have research undertaken by Welsh HE institutions. Where we have many subsidiaries of multi national companies in Wales it is most likely that there research requirements will be sourced from Head Office (either European Head Office or Global Head Office) rather than through local plants or offices.5. Would it be practicable to require WAG and WAG sponsored organisations to use Welsh facilities?6. Can we encourage, through support or other means, Welsh businesses and institutions to present papers at major conferences to further raise the profile of our skills and abilities.7. Should we need to carry out research on recognition of Wales as an R & D location to ensure we focus efforts on areas of low recognition rather than thinly spread over many sectors.8. There is a need to recognise that in some areas reputation leads. A Bioscience business will automatically recognise Cambridge as a suitable location and may not look any further. This raises the question of trade visits. Could more be done at Trade visits to promote R & D facilities and services.9. Having recently constructed an Innovation Centre with incubation capacity we have become more aware of the lack of 'spin out’ businesses from Universities. Could more be done to encourage graduates to start businesses? We, as a small Welsh Authority, can not afford to attend the internationally recognised incubation focused conferences (frequently held in USA) and wonder if this results in us always being behind the field, rather than at the front?I trust the above will assist in your deliberations. David LudlowHead of Economic Development.Torfaen County Borough Council