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Issued:15/05/13
Some of England’s leading universities will benefit from a £50 million investment in cutting-edge research and innovation projects to drive growth, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts has announced.
Sixteen schemes at institutions across the country have been allocated a share of the money from HEFCE’s Catalyst Fund, to work with businesses and support the UK’s economic recovery.
Between them the projects are expected to contribute to the creation of more than 500 new companies, 1,200 products and 3,000 jobs, and help contribute to more than £3 billion to the UK’s economy.
Announcing the investment, Minister David Willetts said:
"Universities and colleges are vital to the UK’s economy. This extra £50 million will harness the potential for growth across the regions, focus on our world-class industrial sectors, and create a skilled workforce for the future. It will support cutting-edge innovation and research projects and keep us ahead in the global race."
The Technology Strategy Board was involved in the selection process, and Universities submitting proposals were asked to consider the ways that projects could link with the board’s priorities and help address a number of the Government’s key growth priorities, such as:
- supporting growth in industrial strategy sectors
- helping local economic growth
- encouraging investment and exports
- creating a more educated workforce
- increasing entrepreneurship.
Sheffield Hallam will receive funding to develop a National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering working closely with industrial partners including Cargill, Dalehead Foods, Mars, McCain Foods, Nestlé, Premier Foods, Warburtons and William Jackson Food Group who will contribute equipment, facilities, mentors or advisers.
The project addresses a recent finding that many food manufacturing plants suffer from a lack of skills amongst engineers to identify and rectify breakdowns. The Centre will be fully operational by 2017, and will see the University become a leading education provider for the food and drink industry, providing state of the art facilities and creating a supply of skilled engineers.
THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS ISSUED BY HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council England)
Read about the full list of institutions which will receive funding on the HEFCE website.
For more information about the announcement please contact the HEFCE press office on 0117 931 7363 or email p.walker@hefce.ac.uk
