We Can Find a Winning Formula in the Great Experiment

Mar 22, 09:48 AM

Current Headlines: By Ross Smith

Leaders of a drive to put science at the heart of the North-East economy last night pledged to fight for a fair share of increased Government spending. And a 25% cash increase in science spending over the next four years was met with optimism that the Newcastle Science City project could be in line to benefit.

Chancellor Gordon Brown used his Budget yesterday to declare his belief that innovation and education ( key elements of Science City ( must get a bigger proportion of national funds.He pledged an extra pounds 1.3bn to be pumped into science by 2010-11.

Mr Brown said a pounds 100m fund will be set up with the aim of "challenging universities and businesses to come together, from medical research to environmental transport, to convert British scientific breakthroughs into British commercial success and jobs."

Newcastle University vice-chancellor Christopher Edwards immediately expressed a hope the North-East can pull in new businesses and jobs through the scheme.

He said: "This is good news, both for the university and for our partners in Science City. We have a world class reputation for scientific innovation in areas such as stem cells, ageing research, molecular engineering and sustainable energy ( work that will benefit society as a whole.

"To maintain this we need to attract and retain the best students and staff to the North-East and provide them with optimal facilities, so this further investment in education in general ( and higher education in particular ( is very welcome.

"The university recently won a pounds 100,000 prize in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council knowledge transfer challenge. We relish the opportunity to take part in the new pounds 100m competition. If we succeed the North-East will benefit with new businesses and jobs."

Newcastle Science City director Sarah Stewart described the announcement on science funding as "excellent news."

"This investment recognises the key role science is playing across many different parts of our lives, from creating employment opportunities to practical research which delivers pioneering transformations on how we treat illnesses and diseases," she said.

"We will be working hard to ensure we gain maximum advantage from the increase in science spend for the region. Together with our partners, Newcastle Science City is already taking up the Chancellor's challenge to bring universities and businesses together.

"One of our main objectives is to do exactly as the budget states and convert our scientific breakthroughs into profitable businesses. I welcome the pounds 100m to encourage this initiative."

It was Mr Brown who prompted the Science City project when he gave Newcastle that title in his 2004 pre-Budget report.

Since then, Newcastle Council, Newcastle University and regional development agency One NorthEast have set ambitious targets of using the theme to create 15,000 jobs within a decade, many on a new science park on the site of the former Tyne Brewery.

North East Chamber of Commerce spokesman Mike Parker last night predicted science will play an "ever more important role" in the region's economy.

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