University and Business collaboration boosts economy
A UK-wide survey has shown that Northern Ireland has achieved the highest growth in income from collaborative research with an increase of 45% to £20.5m.
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, noted the Northern Ireland findings revealed in the Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey report. Overall it shows that UK universities and colleges continue to make a substantial contribution to the economy and society across a broad range of activities intended to have direct social benefits.
The Minister said: "As well as the substantial increase in collaborative research income achieved by our two universities, which now stands at over £20m, the value of individual research contracts with the two universities is now, on average, 33% higher than last year.
"In Northern Ireland, commercial businesses and non-commercial organisations are seeing the benefits that the expertise within our universities can bring and are spending almost £12.77m on contract research and a further £3.1m on specialist consultancy services. The total income to Northern Ireland universities for the services they provide to businesses and the community is estimated at £60 million."
The survey has revealed that the number of disclosures and patents filed on behalf of Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions has increased again, reaching a six year high.
Compared to other UK regions, Northern Ireland has the highest growth in disclosures of potentially exploitable inventions for the period 2006/07 to 2007/08. Northern Ireland also has the highest level of disclosures per institution at the regional level, which is more than double the level of the other UK regions.
Sir Reg said: "This success reflects the growing emphasis of the universities on activities which are business and community facing. The core funding for this is provided jointly by my Department and Invest NI through the Higher Education Innovation Fund."
The full report can be found at www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2009/ 
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The 2007/08 report was the eighth Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey issued by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). It was produced on behalf of several stakeholders including the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Department for Employment and Learning.
2. All UK HEIs were included in the survey, giving a highly representative indication of the whole sector.
3. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning
Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440.
