12th MEETING
OF EDF INNOVATION SUB-GROUP ON 18th OCTOBER 2007
Attendees:
Gerry McCormac, QUB
Bernie Hannigan, UU
Bob Barbour, CforC
Stephen Kingon, Invest NI
Tracy Meharg, Invest NI
Danny McCaughan, McCaughan
Associates
Fiona Hepper, DETI
Anne Conaty, DETI
Fergus Devitt, DEL
Yvonne Curran, DETI
Angela Reavey, BDO (for
Centres of Excellence item only)
Apologies: Graeme
Hutchinson, DETI
WELCOME /
APOLOGIES
1.
Frank Bryan (Chair)
welcomed members and noted apologies from Graeme Hutchinson. He also welcomed Fiona Hepper, who joins the
Innovation Sub-Group following the recent retirement of Wilfie Hamilton.
2.
The Chair reported that the
minutes of the Sub-Group’s 12th meeting on 2 July 2007 had been
agreed by members via email and posted on the EDF website.
MATTERS
ARISING
3.
The
Chair reminded members that
4.
5.
Members discussed the
potential funding sources for proposals emerging from the review.
6.
The University
representatives noted that a number of research projects had been identified
and, subject to securing funding, were ready to commence. However, the project group will need to
identify what is practical in light of the CSR settlement. If funding is secured
the first stage of the groups work should be completed in 2-3 months.
7. The Chair stressed the importance which the Sub-Group accord to the projects and offered to assist/intervene if necessary.
ACTION:
Invest NI - Update on
industry-led technology hubs
8.
Invest NI updated members
on progress with the proposal for Industry-led Technology Hubs noting that the
success of such hubs is dependent on the extent to which the industry displays
a willingness and commitment to driving forward the work of the centres.
9.
Members were reminded that
both the CSR settlement and demand demonstrated by industry will influence the
work of the hubs going forward. Invest
NI advised that a key challenge will be to achieve wider engagement with the
business community on cross sectoral issues where there is the potential to add
value to the
10. Invest NI noted that
members’ views on how to increase industry demand and raise the profile of the
work of the hubs would be welcomed. It
was noted that the Sub-Group will have an opportunity to provide a response to
the review and evaluation of the Centres of Excellence programme.
ACTION: Members to consider how to promote
industry demand for the technology hubs.
MATRIX: NI Science Industry Panel
DETI provided members with an update on progress with the initiatives
being taken forward by MATRIX, as follows :
11. Members were informed that
work to consider how government procurement might be used to stimulate the
commercial exploitation of R&D, science and technology within businesses is
well underway. Initial meetings under
the steering of a Panel which includes representation from CPD, Invest NI and
the Business Alliance have now taken place.
12. The work of the five panels
(Agrifood, Transport, Information Communication Technology, Life & Health
Sciences and Advanced Materials) established under the Horizon Programme is
ongoing.
13. A meeting has taken place
between the Chairs of Matrix and the Irish Advisory Council of Science. Damien
McDonnell had also met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of InvestNI and
would be meeting the Vice Chancellors of the two universities over the coming
weeks.
14. Members were updated on
progress with the Technology Capabilities Study to assess NI’s
current research strengths within industry, academia and the public sector. The
draft final report is due to be issued
to
the Matrix Chairman for initial comment on 19 October.
15. Members were informed that
MATRIX is on target to deliver a prioritised list of science and research
issues of particular relevance to the NI economy to the DETI Minister in March
2008.
16. Members welcomed news that
the panels were working cohesively and focusing on key, cross cutting issues
and noted the overlap across the work of the various panels.
Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan
17.
The Chair reminded members that work has commenced
on the development of the next Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan
(RISAP).
18.
DETI informed members that the Action Plan should
be agreed by November 2007 and published by March 2008. Members were advised that actions identified
within RISAP would be subject to successful CSR bids. Actions within RISAP falling to particular
Departments will be funded through that Department.
19.
Members were advised that they will be given an
opportunity to comment on the document once the Minister and the Executive has
seen the draft. It was also noted that
all organisations at the sub-group meeting had already provided input in the
form of actions.
ACTION: Sub-Group to review and comment on
RISAP following circulation by EDF secretariat.
20.
Discussion followed on Paper 2, which provided an
overview of current support mechanisms for innovation. It was noted that for many projects a three
year evaluation period will not capture all potential benefits arising from
some projects. Members were advised that
evaluation continues on a rolling basis capturing what has been achieved thus
far and building on lessons learned.
However, evaluations which take account of and reflect a longer
project/programme lifespan are commissioned where there is a clear rationale
for so doing.
ACTION: Members to inform Anne Conaty of any further support
mechanisms for innovation.
SKILLS FOR INNOVATION- STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING
AND
MATHEMATICS) SUBJECTS.
21.
22.
The Chair advised members that
23.
While it was accepted that the project was in its
early stage, members noted that the project should include a particular focus
on STEM subjects. Representatives from
the Universities concurred with this view. Members highlighted concerns that
the views expressed in their response to the terms of reference did not appear
to be reflected in the revised terms of reference for the project.
24.
Members stressed the need for a coordinated
approach to the skills agenda which should include cross working with the
Skills Sub-Group and noted that this was particularly important in ensuring the
promotion and development of STEM subjects. Members noted that there is a
considerable body of reference/research material already underway/completed in
this area which should be considered as part of the project. This includes
research completed by the universities and the
ACTION:
25.
Members were informed of a forthcoming EU programme
‘Improve 3’ which will be launched in 2008 and which aims to raise the standard
of innovation across
ACTION: Bob Barbour to table discussion on
‘Improve 3’ at a later Sub-Group meeting.
ETI COMMITTEE SUBMISSION
26.
The Chair informed members that he and Bob Barbour
have been invited to represent the EDF Innovation Sub-Group at the ETI
Committee’s afternoon session on 23rd October. He highlighted that the ETI committee had
requested the Sub-Group’s views on the performance of existing
innovation programmes and on the current and forthcoming Regional Innovation
Strategy Action Plan.
27.
The Chair noted that the detail of the Action Plan
was not yet available and therefore the Sub Group could not comment on the Plan
at this stage. Members noted, however,
that the Sub-Group has been kept informed on all aspects of the development of
the Action Plan and
has endorsed the four core themes on which the Regional Innovation Strategy and
Action Plan are built.
28.
Members agreed that existing innovation
programmes are viewed to be appropriate and effective whilst recognising that
there is a need for greater flexibility within the programmes. Invest NI noted that the rigid definition of
technical innovation as set by the European Union has on occasion restricted
the level and type of support which could be offered to potentially
innovative projects.
29.
In
addition discussion focused on the potential returns which investment in
riskier projects can generate. However, it was recognised that public sector
accountability requirements limit the opportunity to assist such investments.
It was suggested that the evaluation of projects should be by portfolio
approach, rather than assessing each project in isolation. In addition assessment should be by economic
appraisal and the consideration of potentially significant wider benefits
rather than simply on the basis of financial appraisal.
ACTION: Frank Bryan and Bob Barbour to advise ETI Committee on key
issues.
CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
30. The Chair welcomed Angela
Reavey, from BDO to the meeting. She
delivered a presentation to members summarising the
findings of the draft final evaluation of the RTD Centres of Excellence
programme.
31. Discussion focused on the
extent to which industry should be driving the Centres of Excellence programme.
However, it was noted that some research in these centres is further developed
than research within industry in
32. Invest NI noted they were
keen to take on board any comments from industry on how to drive forward the
Centres of Excellence, especially on the issue of stimulating demand. The challenge of attracting SMEs was also
discussed.
33. The Sub-Group noted that
overall the findings and conclusions of the evaluation of the Centres of
Excellence were very encouraging and members agreed to cascade this to their
respective organisations and to provide a response to the report in due course.
ACTION: Members to raise profile of successes
of Centres of Excellence Programme within own organisation.
34. Members noted that there
was likely to be media interest in the evaluation of the programme and it was
important to take advantage of the opportunity to highlight the success of the
Centres of Excellence, especially noting the figures coming from the BDO
Report. Members agreed it was important
for this message to reach businesses in
35. Members also noted work
currently underway on a mapping of Centres of Excellence across the
ACTION: Members to provide responses to the
evaluation of the Centres of Excellence programme by 3 December.
36. In terms of timescales,
members were informed that the Centres of Excellence evaluation will inform the
development of future policy and that an agreed DETI / Invest NI Action Plan
for the Centres of Excellence will be completed in due course.
ACTION: Sub-Group to review Action Plan and provide feedback.
ANY OTHER
BUSINESS
Date for
Next Meeting
37. It was agreed that the next meeting of the
Sub-Group should be held in late January.
ACTION: EDF Secretariat to liaise with members on
a date for the next meeting in late January.
|
ISSUE |
ACTIONS
ARISING |
LEAD |
TIMESCALE |
|
Universities Paper ‘ |
|
|
Report to be with EDF Secretariat by 3
December |
|
Industry-led Technology hubs/ Centres of Excellence |
Member’s
to provide views on how to promote uptake in this area. |
EDF Secretariat to coordinate |
In advance of next meeting |
|
Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan |
Sub-Group
to review and comment on
document following circulation by EDF
secretariat. |
Innovation Sub-Group members |
Once circulated |
|
Innovation Funding |
Members to
inform Anne Conaty of any sources of funding not detailed in the table. |
EDF Secretariat to coordinate |
In advance of next meeting |
|
Skills for Innovation- STEM subjects |
|
|
By 3 December |
|
Improve 3 |
Bob
Barbour to table discussion on ‘Improve 3’ at a later Sub-Group meeting. |
Bob Barbour |
When further information available |
|
ETI Committee |
Frank
Bryan and Bob Barbour to raise key issues to ETI Committee |
Frank Bryan and Bob Barbour |
23 October |
|
Centres of Excellence |
Members to
raise profile of successes of Centres of Excellence Programme. |
Innovation Sub-Group members |
Ongoing |
|
Date of Next meeting |
EDF
Secretariat to liaise with members on a date for the next meeting in late
January. |
EDF Secretariat |
By end of December |
|
Centres of Excellence |
Member’s
to provide responses to the evaluation of the Centres of Excellence
programme. |
EDF Secretariat to coordinate |
By 3 December (so views can be
passed to Invest NI) By end of November |