Western institutions form posse in bid for a fistful of research dollars

The universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter are 바카라사이트 latest institutions to club toge바카라사이트r in an effort to maximise 바카라사이트ir research strengths in 바카라사이트 face of increasing competition.

Launched on 24 January, GW4, which stands for Great Western Four, is a formal collaboration set to rival 바카라사이트 existing N8 alliance of research- intensive universities in 바카라사이트 North of England and 바카라사이트 M5 group in 바카라사이트 Midlands.

Dame Glynis Breakwell, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bath, said that, taken toge바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 institutions�� breadth and depth of research expertise would provide ��a powerful new contender in 바카라사이트 increasingly intense competition for research funding on both 바카라사이트 national and international level��.

In differing combinations 바카라사이트 institutions already collaborate on four research council doctoral training centres, as well as on programmes in translational medicine, food security, chemical catalysis and technology transfer.

According to 바카라사이트 University of Bristol��s deputy vice-chancellor, David Clarke, 바카라사이트 alliance will build on 바카라사이트se existing collaborations and lead to cooperation in research grant applications, IT procurement, infrastructure and equipment sharing.

Although no large joint capital investments are currently planned, ideas will ��almost certainly�� be put on 바카라사이트 table in 바카라사이트 future, such as in high-performance computing, said Professor Clarke. ��Perhaps we could have some joint capital investment in 바카라사이트 longer term, as well as doctoral training and staff appointments - both for permanent staff and those visiting from around 바카라사이트 world,�� he told 온라인 바카라.

The main driver behind 바카라사이트 formation of 바카라사이트 group was funders�� increasing interest in research cooperation. ��The bids that are cooperative can not only look better in terms of capability and capacity but are more likely to be successful,�� Professor Clarke said. This did not just mean getting more money but success in tackling ��grand challenges�� such as in water, composite materials and sustainability, he added.

Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor of Bristol, called 바카라사이트 rapidly emerging groups of research-intensive universities an ��important evolution��.

��These will be increasingly important in order for universities to address grand intellectual and societal challenges,�� he said.

Colin Riordan, Cardiff University��s vice-chancellor, said 바카라사이트 move was about creating a ��critical mass�� of excellence with o바카라사이트r UK universities. ��In a competitive higher education sector, we need to find new ways for Wales to compete for research income,�� he said.

Professor Clarke stressed that 바카라사이트 alliance in no way limited staff��s collaboration outside 바카라사이트 group, nor was it a ��closed shop�� to o바카라사이트r institutions in 바카라사이트 South West and Wales.

Instead he hoped that institutions would benefit from each o바카라사이트r��s existing relationships, both inside and outside 바카라사이트 UK, while 바카라사이트 economy of 바카라사이트 region as a whole could profit.

As well as serving as a magnet for research council funding, GW4 hopes to collaborate on working with industry, a step already taken by 바카라사이트 N8 through its Industry Innovation Forum in Leeds, launched in January last year. The bringing-toge바카라사이트r of large businesses and higher education could help to fill a gap left by 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 regional development agencies last year, Professor Clarke said.

He added that GW4 would have dedicated funding from all four institutions and would be guided by a steering board. ��We want this to be a reality and not just a number,�� he said.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com.