Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts announced on Friday an ambition to make Britain the best place in the world to do science.In a speech at Policy Exchange, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts argued that Britain's our universities, science facilities and researchers - are the best single hope for making our way in the high-tech world of the future, creating jobs and opportunities and boosting high-tech economic growth.
He said that “If properly nurtured they can ensure that Britain will be up there as a leading location for research in the physical and life sciences. Britain can be the preferred location for companies’ R&D." Also adding that "We can have world-class industries using cutting-edge technologies. We can have a prosperous future with a role in the world.”
However like most of the ambitious projects the government are keen to launch the downside to this is there will absolutely no extra Government financial support for its abitious plans, he said: "There will be no additional Government funding. This time we will be looking to private finance and perhaps sponsorship from some of the businesses that are keen to recruit more British graduates".
Let's hope that there is private financial investment and sponsorship - but in these financial times when companies like Pfizer closed with 2,400 jobs in Kent last year, Unilever laying over a thousand staff in December and BAE lost 3000 jobs in early 2011 - I wonder who will invest and where he optimistically thinks money will actually be found to ensure Universities are helped with his ambitious plans?
[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVAqc9tHlK4&w=300&h=200]
Video courtesy of Policy Exchange website
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