5th MEETING OF EDF INNOVATION SUB-GROUP ON 18 NOVEMBER 2005

 

Attendees:        David Dobbin, CBI

Bernie Hannigan, UU

Bob Barbour, C for C

Wilfie Hamilton, DETI

David McAuley, DEL

Graeme Hutchinson, DETI

Anne Conaty, DETI

Tracy Meharg, Invest NI

Brian Gorman, DEL

Boyd McDowell, DEL

Patrick Cullen, Nanotec NI

Jim McLaughlin, UU

Robert Bowman, QUB

 

Welcome / Apologies / Minutes of Last Meeting

 

1.      David Dobbin welcomed members and Patrick Cullen, Jim McLaughlin, Robert Bowman and Tracy Meharg to the 5th meeting of the Innovation Sub-group and noted apologies from John Mann, QUB, Fabian Monds, Invest NI and Chris Conway, Nortel.

 

2.      The draft minutes, as circulated with papers, were agreed without further amendment.

 

Matters Arising

 

3.   It was agreed that all matters arising would be dealt with during the agenda.

 

Nanotechnology

 

4.   Patrick Cullen provided members with a background to Nanotec NI and explained the importance of nanotechnology in terms of research and its economic impact on NI.  He outlined the research areas currently covered by nanotechnology, the facilities available and a number outreach activities including missions to Asia-Pacific, India and US to develop links with industry, trade shows and networking with ROI.

 

5.   Robert Bowman explained to members, the nanotechnology work undertaken at Queen’s University.  He outlined a number of research themes and associated technology transfer and scientific outputs.

 

6.   Jim McLaughlin advised members about the current nano-based projects being taken forward at the University of Ulster’s Nanotechnology Research Institute and the types of laboratories these projects utilised.  He went on to give members some information about the University’s strategy in relation to nanotechnology.

 

7.      It was recognised that nanotechnology could be applied across many sectors and in response to members’ queries, the Group was advised that there was lack of engagement / understanding from business about how the technology might be applied to their individual sectors and that one of the key issues for the development of nanotechnology in NI was staff resources, particularly the lack of funding for Phd students to increase and widen the research base.

 

8.   In response to a query about nanotechnology and the food sector, it was recognised that the areas targeted for nanotechnology to date had been driven by the expertise available within the universities.  It was also recognised that, as the largest exporter in NI, the food industry might benefit from nanotechnology.  Professor Hannigan and David Dobbin agreed that the Food Foresight Group should be encouraged to engage with QUB/UU nanotechnology representatives.

 

ACTION:     Sub-group university representatives to develop a proposal outlining the case for additional funding for nanotechnology Phd students with an emphasis on achievable outputs for the NI economy.

 

ACTION:     David Dobbin to make contact with the Food Foresight Group to raise the issue of the food sector’s use of nanotechnology.

 

Innovation Sub-group Work Programme

 

Foresight

 

9.   Members recognised that Foresight was important but felt that it had lost momentum and needed to be more active in the 5 identified priority technologies for NI, especially in the areas of nanotechnology and food, and that tradeable service sub sectors should be covered also.  Members asked to be kept informed as work in relation to the Foresight Programme progressed.

 

Higher and Further Education Collaboration Fund

 

10. David McAuley briefed Sub-group members on the status of the proposed HE / FE Collaboration Fund.  In response to members queries David McAuley confirmed that funds would be allocated through a bidding process.  Although members were content with the concept of the Collaboration Fund they did raise concerns about the eligible activities as listed in the draft proposal and recommended that these be more focussed on knowledge transfer to business.  It was also suggested that the outcome descriptors needed to have more of a business focus.  Members agreed to liaise closely with DEL to develop the proposal for the Collaboration Fund.

 

Communications Strategy

 

11. Members were content with the messages detailed for innovation within the draft communications strategy.

 

Vision Framework

 

Innovation Indicators and Innovation Scenarios

12. David Dobbin advised members that a meeting with Regional Forecasts who had developed the forecasting model had been arranged for 11am on 15 December.  He explained that the purpose of the meeting would be to provide members with more detailed information on how the NI model operates; give Regional Forecasts an opportunity to address the concerns of some members, particularly in regard to the usefulness and robustness of the model; and explore in more detail what scenario planning means in practice and what will be required from the Sub-groups.

13. He went on to explain that each Sub-group had been asked to send representatives to the meeting and it was agreed that the Innovation Group would be represented by Graeme Hutchinson and Bob Barbour.  David Dobbin would attend if possible.

Any Other Business

 

14. There was no other business raised.