Universities play essential role in economic development

Even greater cohesion between universities and business is essential for Northern Ireland’s economic development, Bruce Robinson, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has said.

Mr Robinson was speaking at a banquet for over 200 delegates to the Field Programmable Logic (FPL) conference, which is being held at Queen’s University, Belfast from August 27 to August 29.

He said: “We are particularly fortunate that both Queen’s University and the University of Ulster understand the benefits of co-operation and collaboration with the business community.

“While a number of local companies are already working alongside the universities in the development of innovative products, my Department is keen to encourage many more businesses, particularly the small to medium sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, to follow their example.

“The universities are the primary training ground for the technologically skilled people and provide the R&D expertise our companies will increasingly need to compete successfully in an international business environment in which change will be constant.”

Mr Robinson said the two universities had a pivotal role in assisting the Executive realise its Programme for Government vision of “a dynamic, competitive economy, creating opportunities for all in a wide range of sectors, with many more jobs in the knowledge-based economy”.

In addition, the Permanent Secretary highlighted the global reputation of centres of technological excellence at Queen’s University and the University of Ulster that had encouraged industry leaders to locate in Northern Ireland or to develop strategic alliances with the universities. (MB)