11th MEETING OF EDF INNOVATION SUB-GROUP ON 2ND JULY 2007

 

Attendees:        Frank Bryan, IOD (Chair)

Gerry McCormac, QUB

Bernie Hannigan, UU

Bob Barbour, C for C

Danny McCaughan, McCaughan Associates

Stephen Kingon, Invest NI

Tracy Meharg, Invest NI

Siobhan Logue, DEL

Wilfie Hamilton, DETI

Anne Conaty, DETI

Edel Lamb, DETI

 

Apologies:         Graeme Hutchinson, DETI

 

 

WELCOME / APOLOGIES

 

1.      The Chair welcomed members and noted apologies from Graeme Hutchinson.  He welcomed the Sub-Group’s new member, Danny McCaughan, CEO of McCaughan Associates.

 

2.      The Chair noted that the minutes of the Sub-Group’s 11th meeting on 1 February 2007 had been agreed by members via email.

 

MATTERS ARISING

 

Universities’ Paper

 

3.      The Chair reminded members that a revised version of the Universities’ paper, ‘Northern Ireland’s Universities: Key Drivers of Wealth Creation and Future Economic Development’, had been forwarded to Sub-Group members for comment on 17 May.  The Chair, DETI, DEL and Invest NI offered comments.  The Universities delivered a presentation on their proposals at the plenary meeting on 1 June and EDF welcomed the joint approach and were supportive of the paper’s ambitions.  It was agreed that the relevant Government Departments (DETI and DEL) should further consider the proposal, particularly in terms of costs and affordability.

 

4.      DEL informed members that the paper had been very useful in advance of completing CSR bids.  It was noted that the Universities had met with the DEL Minister to discuss key issues and that further meetings would be scheduled.

 

5.      The following points were also raised in relation to the Universities’ proposals:

 

–         DEL highlighted that a bid for increased PhD places has been submitted under the Innovation Fund, but that money would be only be guaranteed for one year.  DEL also pointed to the current review of postgraduate study, which the Universities’ paper will inform.

 

–         In relation to the Universities’ recommendation on PhD places, it was noted that DEL and the Universities need to discuss numbers and exact costing.

 

ACTION             DEL and Universities to discuss numbers and exact costing of PhD places.

 

–         Members also discussed the issue of funding PhD students in key areas.  It was recognised that there would be difficulties for SMEs, which make up the majority of the Northern Ireland economy, in financially supporting students for the period of postgraduate study.  It was agreed that Invest NI would work with DEL and DE to consider numbers and costing in relation to funding study in key areas.

 

ACTION             Invest NI to discuss key subject areas with DEL and DE and to consider numbers and costing of incentives for students undertaking key subjects.

 

–         Members expressed support for the proposal of offsetting undergraduate fees when a student takes on postgraduate study.

 

ACTION             Siobhan Logue and Gerry McCormac to discuss this proposal further.

 

–         In relation to the proposed budget of £20m per annum to support All-Island Collaboration, further clarification is required from the Universities.

 

ACTION:           Universities to clarify calculations for this £20m with DEL.

 

–         The proposed increased funding for the HE/FE Collaboration Fund and HEIF were also discussed.  In relation to the former, it was noted that, given that funded activities have just commenced, it is too early to review the funding.  It was also highlighted that a recently completed evaluation of HEIF indicates that funding is in line with England.  HEIF 2 will commence in August 2007 and will be reviewed in Summer 2009.

 

–         It was agreed that industry needs to take a greater degree of ownership of industry-led technology hubs.

 

–         Members also discussed the importance of lifelong learning.

 

6.      It was agreed that while the Sub-Group’s input to the Universities’ recommendations had been valuable, it was now the role of the relevant Departments and key stakeholders to take this forward.  DEL will lead on the majority of the recommendations, with DETI / Invest NI leading on industry-led technology hubs.

 

ACTION             DEL to update members on progress on issues falling within their remit of responsibility at the next Sub-Group meeting.

 

ACTION             Invest NI to consider the issue of industry-led technology hubs and report on progress at the Sub-Group’s winter 2007 meeting.

 

MATRIX: NI Science Industry Panel

 

7.      Members were informed that MATRIX had held its third plenary meeting and that a number of initiatives were now being taken forward.

 

–         Five panels have been set up under the Horizon Programme (Agri-food, Life and Health Sciences, Transport, ICT and Advanced Materials).

 

–         MATRIX has commissioned a technology Capabilities study to assess NI’s current research strengths within industry, academia and the public sector.  It is expected that the appointed consultants will issue a draft report to MATRIX by the end of August.

 

–         Following concerns by the MATRIX panel on the decline in uptake of STEM subjects within schools, DEL and DE are considering a number of ideas in regard to the provision of STEM subjects in schools and FE colleges and the movement of STEM students from school, through HE/FE and ultimately into the workforce.

 

–         Work has also begun with the Business Alliance and the Central Procurement Directorate to consider how Government procurement can be used to stimulate the commercial exploitation of R&D, science and technology within businesses.

 

–         Further work is also being undertaken in relation to the MATRIX Communications Strategy, liaison with the Irish Advisory Council of Science, liaison with the DEL Skill Expert Group and liaison with the Research and Education Advisory Panel.

 

8.      MATRIX is on target to deliver a prioritised list of science and research issues of particular relevance to the Northern Ireland economy, together with a proposed means of progression by March 2008.  It expects to provide an interim report to the DETI Minister in September / October 2008.

 

NI Innovation Survey

 

9.      Members noted the results of the latest NI Innovation Survey, published on 30 May 2007, particularly the decline in innovation activity.

 

10.   Although the Sub-Group had highlighted at an earlier meeting that an annual survey would be useful, it was agreed that, given the limitations imposed by national protocol, this is a useful reference document.

 

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

 

11.   The Chair reminded members that it had been agreed at the September meeting that further research into potential world-class Centres of Excellence within Northern Ireland and throughout Ireland would be useful.  On behalf of the Sub-Group, the Chair expressed disappointment at the delay in bringing these papers forward within the previously agreed time period.  It is fundamentally important that there is no further slippage against this important piece of work.

 

12.   Invest NI updated members on progress on a number of projects relating to Centres of Excellence.  Ongoing work covers existing centres, evaluating, mapping and the way forward.  It includes:

 

–         The Aston report, provided by InnovationLab:  The findings of this report were encouraging and were conveyed to the Sub-Group in September 2006.

 

–         A post-project evaluation, being undertaken by BDO:  The Terms of Reference are to review Centres of Excellence in the context of their contribution to the economy and their sustainability and to look at policy and funding options.  Invest NI had received a draft report making high level recommendations.  It is anticipated that further work will be required and that a final report will be ready by September.

 

–         A survey mapping all island of Ireland Centres of Excellence, in conjunction with IntertradeIreland and DEL:  This work is ongoing.  The Sub-Group will be required to look at the outputs of the survey and advise if they are content with the recommendations.  It will be useful to consider this alongside the Universities’ paper to consider possible funding mechanisms.  Invest NI will provide a further update at the next Sub-Group meeting.

 

ACTION:           Invest NI to circulate draft report of the survey by Friday 24 August.

 

ACTION:           Invest NI to circulate an update paper identifying recommendations on the way forward one week in advance of the Sub-Group’s September meeting and for discussion at this meeting.

 

REVIEW OF PRIORITIES AND FUTURE WORK

 

13.   The Chair directed members to paper 4, which provided an update on progress of the Sub-Group to date, and invited members to suggest any other issues that the group might address.  Members were reminded that Sub-Group discussions should lead to recommendations that can be brought to the attention of plenary EDF.

 

14.   Members suggested the following issues for future meetings:

 

–         The funding of innovation, including whether it is adequate; where there are gaps; a comparison with the amount invested in the Republic of Ireland.  It was agreed that it would be useful to begin by looking at how Innovation is currently funded by Departments and at the Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan, which is being developed through consultation with the Departments and external stakeholders.

 

ACTION:           Anne Conaty to circulate Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan (including a table of how Innovation is funded across the Departments) at the end of summer 2007.

 

–         The Marketing of Innovation:  It was agreed that the Sub-Group should continue to work with Invest NI on how to promote innovation.

 

–         Members discussed the role that the Sub-Group might have in relation to STEM subjects.  DEL advised that this is being taken forward as Skills for Innovation.

 

ACTION:           DEL to produce paper on Terms of Reference for Skills for Innovation and future work for the next meeting of the Sub-Group.

 

–         Members stated that it would also be useful to discuss how to bring benefits of innovation in the Republic of Ireland and globally to Northern Ireland.

 

ACTION:           Members to send further suggestions to Secretariat in advance of next meeting.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Sub-Group Report for September Plenary

 

15.   It was agreed that the report for the September plenary would reflect discussion at the meeting.  It was noted that discussion at the next plenary would focus on priorities for the budget.

 

Date for Next Meeting

 

16.   It was agreed that the next meeting of the Sub-Group should be held in late September.

 

ACTION:           EDF Secretariat to liaise with members on a date for the next meeting in late September.