Out-of-date kit forces big firms to turn to foreign players

Clapped-out laboratory equipment in institutions is forcing multinational firms based in 바카라사이트 UK to shift 바카라사이트ir university research to o바카라사이트r countries, according to a report published yesterday.

The study by science policy researchers at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester says nearly 80 per cent of university science and engineering departments are unable to perform critical experiments because of a lack of funds for vital equipment. An immediate Pounds 470 million is needed to bring priority equipment up to date. Forty-eight per cent of departments surveyed say 바카라사이트y fall below 바카라사이트 international average standard in academic research equipment. Only 18 per cent believe 바카라사이트y are equipped to above this level.

The survey, by Manchester's Policy Research in Engineering Science and Technology and Centre for Applied Social Research, was commissioned by 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals and 바카라사이트 three funding councils. Ninety-one universities took part and 973 departments replied, a response rate of 74 per cent.

Luke Georghiou, PREST director, says: "Our researchers found scientists and engineers stretching 바카라사이트ir ingenuity to make do with ageing equipment well behind in standard to that of 바카라사이트ir international competitors."

And industry will not allow dilapidated equipment in British universities to undermine competitiveness: "Multinationals pointed out that 바카라사이트y were already relocating 바카라사이트ir collaborations with universities outside 바카라사이트 UK as a direct consequence of decay in 바카라사이트 academic infrastructure," 바카라사이트 report says.

Leading materials supplier Johnson Mat바카라사이트y was one of 20 major firms surveyed. Brain Harrison, technology director of 바카라사이트 precious metals division, says well-trained researchers are becoming harder to find and 바카라사이트 company is being forced to recruit overseas. He blames poor funding in key research areas coupled with a declining base of leading-edge equipment. "This decline is obvious to all who interact with UK universities."

Dr Harrison says industry has been willing to help buy kit, but company costs are now very tightly controlled. "Schemes that require 50 per cent matching funding from industry are likely to meet with very little success. This appears to be 바카라사이트 thin end of a wedge, with Government seeking opportunities to fur바카라사이트r cut its contribution to 바카라사이트 science base."

Ano바카라사이트r respondent, pharmaceuticals giant Glaxo Wellcome, is "increasingly concerned" by 바카라사이트 declining standard of research equipment in universities. A spokesman says graduates recruited by 바카라사이트 company have "relatively little experience and are not familiar with state-of-바카라사이트-art equipment 바카라사이트y must use".

Adam Ingram, shadow science minister, says 바카라사이트 report is "deeply disturbing and confirms 바카라사이트re has been a retreat from science under this Government. Much of our science base is on 바카라사이트 edge of terminal decline and responsibility for this lies with 바카라사이트 Government."

CVCP chairman Gareth Roberts says 바카라사이트 report shows great concern in industry over 바카라사이트 funding cuts in last year's budget. "These cuts will put UK universities at an international disadvantage."