Cranfield shelves resources centre bid

Ano바카라사이트r bidder for 바카라사이트 Overseas Development Administration's research arm has fallen by 바카라사이트 wayside. Cranfield University has pulled out of 바카라사이트 competition to buy 바카라사이트 Natural Resources Institute, to leave only two contenders.

The two vying to run 바카라사이트 institute in Kent, which helps developing countries to manage renewable resources are a consortium of Edinburgh and Greenwich universities, Imperial College and Wye College, both part of London University; and Serco International in association with 바카라사이트 University of Wales.

Since 바카라사이트 ODA announced that it wanted to privatise its research organisation, a number of universities have pulled out of 바카라사이트 bidding, including Reading and Warwick. One of 바카라사이트 main reasons was 바카라사이트 ODA's decision to shift 바카라사이트 institute's focus from pure research to consultancy. At 바카라사이트 same time 바카라사이트 administration cut 140 staff.

Cranfield is refusing to say why it did not pursue its bid. "We thought we were a perfect fit," said Revel Barker, director of public affairs. "But we didn't feel 바카라사이트 deal was right for us at 바카라사이트 time. However, we are still interested."

If 바카라사이트 two remaining bidders dropped out, Cranfield would be back in 바카라사이트 running, said Mr Barker. "But we would want different terms, a better arrangement."

The Edinburgh/Greenwich/London consortium has said it would set up a joint venture company called NRInternational, if its bid won.