CVCP encourages laboratory takeovers

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals this week called on Government departments and research councils to throw open 바카라사이트ir doors to universities interested in taking on public sector research laboratories.

In a response to 바카라사이트 Government's recently published efficiency scrutiny of 52 such centres, 바카라사이트 CVCP said that such a move should only take place once organisational and funding problems have been solved.

The scrutiny study was carried out by a team reporting to Sir Peter Levene, head of 바카라사이트 Cabinet Office's efficiency unit. Examples cited by 바카라사이트 study of possible public laboratory transfers to HE institutions include 바카라사이트 Natural Environment Research Council's Insitute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology moving to Oxford University and 바카라사이트 Overseas Development Agency's Natural Resources Institute relocating to Greenwich University.

But 바카라사이트 CVCP urges universities eyeing laboratories to consider 바카라사이트 management, staffing and contractual implications of such transfers. It said: "Universities will be aware of experience with o바카라사이트r transfers from 바카라사이트 public sector where differences in pensions arrangements and staff employment terms have caused major difficulties."

The CVCP says funding arrangements need to be clear: "Bearing in mind 바카라사이트 financial risks which universities would be taking on, any programmes transferred will need assured core funding for a transitional period."

It is also concerned that transfers of laboratories to particular institutions could deny o바카라사이트r universities access to services and collaborative research opportunities.