Universities of Surrey and Reading to aid pharmaceutical industry in the South East prepare for economic upturn

Thursday 23 April 2009

The Surrey-Reading project focuses on training and development for a sector of prime importance to the region. The universities will use their proven expertise of working with the industry, to create targeted opportunities for employees, the recently unemployed and graduates facing a depleted job market, particularly in areas the industry has identified as high priority.

The project has been awarded £689,185 under the Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF). The ECIF was set up by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to help universities respond rapidly to meet the immediate needs of the economy during the current recession.

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has offered match funding of £344,593 and the universities will each contribute £172, 296, bringing the value of the 18-month project to £1,378,371.

University of Surrey Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Turner comments: “Universities can play a special role in economic recovery by contributing their high level skills to sectors which are important to the regional and national economy. We are delighted to be working with the University of Reading on a project which will harness the expertise of both institutions, and benefit the South East.”

University of Reading Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Professor Christine Williams said: “The University is delighted to have been granted funding for this vital project. The scheme will give recent graduates the chance to make a real contribution to industry as well as furthering their skills and knowledge development through industrial experience and higher-level courses at the universities.

“It offers clear, immediate benefits to participating business, universities and to current and prospective employees. The project is the first step in setting up a Centre for Knowledge and Skills Exchange for the biopharma industry in the South East, enabling ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Both universities look forward to a highly successful partnership that will bring huge benefits to the biopharma industry now, and in the future.”

In the bid made by Surrey and Reading, the recruitment of Industrial Fellows from the newly redundant or those at risk of redundancy is a distinctive feature. Fellows will develop and deliver on immediate specialist training needs, mentor graduate interns and support targeted skills development in science students. Importantly, they will take on much of the mentoring and supervisory work which can prevent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources benefiting from the input of graduate interns.

Media Enquiries

Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk