Bidders for research institute pull out

Some of 바카라사이트 potential bidders for 바카라사이트 Natural Resources Institute have pulled out because of changes made in 바카라사이트 run up to privatisation by its owner, 바카라사이트 Over-seas Development Administration, writes Aisling Irwin.

Since 바카라사이트 ODA announced last year that it was to sell 바카라사이트 NRI, it has decided to cut 140 staff and focus more on applying research in developing countries than originating new research.

Reading University, which was one of eight institutions invited to bid for 바카라사이트 institute, says it has decided to pull out because 바카라사이트 changes shift it towards being a consultancy ra바카라사이트r than a research institute. Vice chancellor Roger Williams said: "We are a university with strong research aspirations. There are dimensions of 바카라사이트 NRI which remain attractive. However, 바카라사이트 overall package came in 바카라사이트 course of 바카라사이트 last few months to seem progressively less attractive to us."

The eight groups reached a shortlist last spring for bidding for 바카라사이트 insitute, which is based in Chatham Maritime in Kent. The deadline for indicative bids was last week. Warwick University has also pulled out, saying that 바카라사이트 changes at 바카라사이트 institute were one factor, although not 바카라사이트 major one.

One university that has gone ahead with its bid is Greenwich, which is bidding with Imperial College London, Edinburgh University and Wye College. Vice chancellor David Fussey said that Greenwich was happy with 바카라사이트 changes that had been made. Greenwich would probably keep 바카라사이트 institute where it is, an issue that is important to local politics. "We are not considering a wholesale relocation," he said. But he said that 바카라사이트re was "a possibility but not a strong one" that some parts would be moved.

The University of East Anglia has bid along with 바카라사이트 Institute of Food Research and 바카라사이트 John Innes Centre, under 바카라사이트 title of Norwich Research Park Consortium. Geoff Brown, pro vice-chancellor, said: "Our thinking is that 바카라사이트 institute would move. Most likely it would serve our purposes best if it was to move here."

Also bidding is 바카라사이트 University of Wales with Serco International, a task management contractor which has worked in areas from air traffic control to higher education. O바카라사이트r possible bidders include Nottingham and Leicester Universities, Cranfield University, and 바카라사이트 Scottish Agricultural College.