Higher Education: Foreign Investment in UK
9th February 2011
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with higher education institutions on promoting inward investment; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills recognises the major contribution of the higher education sector to attracting high-quality inward investment to the UK. Ministers and officials regularly engage with higher education organisations on the topic of international activities and opportunities. On 1 February I addressed a Universities UK and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) supported conference on higher education opportunities in Europe.
UKTI's R and D Partnerships programme is available free of charge to help organisations find the right UK academic or commercial partner for research and development collaborations.
UKTI also has a University Liaison Officer who interacts with universities at a senior level to promote international engagement. This includes the potential for collaboration with internationally focused companies for inward investment or export purposes.
