As the government prepares to cut the budget deficit universities have already had a wake-up call. The Higher Education Funding Council budget has been cut by some £500m for the 2010-11 academic year and institutions are waiting to hear their individual fate.
But during tough times, positive shifts always occur and the commercial activity of many has been brought right to the forefront of the debate. While some funding lines have been cut, the High Education Innovation Fund, which is designed to support knowledge exchange activities a across the sector, will increase by 11.9 per cent to £150m.
In this feature, Insider will explore how the collaboration activities of universities are rising up the government agenda. While traditional rankings, such as teaching and research, remain at the forefront of measuring performance, universities are under increasing pressure to prove their impact in the wider social and commercial world.
PLUS… We would like to look at case studies where businesses and universities have successfully joined together to deliver growth and innovation. What are the key benefits? And what are the cultural differences between academia and industry to be aware of?
Editorial deadline: 12th March 2010
Editorial contact: Rupert Cornford 0161 907 9719
Ad copy deadline: 12th March 2010
Ad contacts:
Clare Wild 0161 907 9747
Dan Butcher 0161 907 9742
Avril Larkin 0161 907 9740
Mark Perkins 0161 907 9749