13th November 1997

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Statistics published this week by HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency) confirm the University of Ulster as the UK leader in the Teaching Company Schemes (TCS), out-performing every other university in the country.

Universities were ranked according to the income generated by their TCS activity. (see table below)

The aim of the TCS programmes is to enhance economic competitiveness by stimulating innovation through technology transfer.

A pioneer of TCS programmes in the UK, the University of Ulster has developed successful partnerships with companies throughout Northern Ireland's industrial spectrum, from household names to SME's and microbusinesses.

Responding to the announcement of the University's UK-leading performance, Terri Scott, Director of the NI TCS Centre at the University of Ulster said:

"This announcement reflects the importance of collaboration between the University and local industry. The University of Ulster has been a national leader in the provision of TCS programmes over the last ten years. Links have been established with companies of all sizes and the applied research resulting from the programmes has immeasurably helped the University in both its teaching and research.

"The University provides assistance for local industry and we are always keen to explore new avenues of collaboration with industrial partners. This achievement is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of University staff from many disciplines on all the University's campuses in making our TCS programmes such a resounding success."

The TCS programme involves the University in placing an Associate with a Participating company to work on a strategic project for a period of two years. The project is monitored, mentored and guided by University specialists until completion

In this way, all three participants benefit from the collaboration. The private firm gains access to the expertise and knowledge base of the University's staff to help them gain competitive advantage: the University's academics enhance their awareness of the commercial sector and its operating environment, and feed this knowledge back into their teaching and research; and the Associate gains a fast-track career opportunity in industry.

News of the University's league-topping performance came in a week when Greg McConnell, Chief Executive of the IRTU presented awards to 16 TCS partners in recognition of their contribution to technology transfer through University TCS programmes. Companies receiving awards spanned all sectors of Northern Ireland industry, from electronics through manufacturing to polymer research, IT and software development. Speaking at the award ceremony, University Vice-Chancellor Professor Lord Smith of Clifton of Mountsandel called on Government to give full recognition to the importance of applied research that contributes to economic development when allocating funding to the university sector.


Sixteen Northern Ireland companies received awards. They were:


AVX
Boxmore Healthcare Packaging
Belleek Pottery
Courtaulds Jersey
Emo Oil (NI)
Ford Motor Company
Galen
Hathaway Systems
Jordan Plastics
Lurgan Fibre
Perfecseal
Quality Additives
Robert Wright & Son
Seagoe Ceramics
Silotank
Unipork


Notes for Editors:

The University of Ulster has completed 56 TCS programmes since the scheme's inception, placing 122 high calibre graduates with Northern Ireland companies

21 TCS schemes are currently in progress, involving 38 graduates

The TCS rankings are (top five only given):

1. University of Ulster	£1.019m stg
2. Brunel	£0.911m stg
3. QUB	£0.883m stg
4. Warwick	£0.840m stg
5. Univ of Central. England	£0.809m stg

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk