21st July 1998

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The University of Ulster has today publicly welcomed the proposal by Economy Minister, Adam Ingram, to establish a new Science Park in Northern Ireland. The initiative follows Gordon Brown's visit to Northern Ireland in May.

Lord Smith of Clifton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, feels that the new Science Park should not occupy a single site but should be structured to allow clustering of high technology companies close to the relevant areas of research expertise in Northern Ireland. He said: "This is a unique opportunity to help the province's economy to face the challenges of the new millennium by developing sector-specific parks in the North West and at Coleraine and Belfast. They could thus take advantage of the University of Ulster campuses with their strong applied research presence and also the location of our partners at Queen's. We note the Minister's request for 'creative and imaginative' responses to the proposal. I can assure him that the University of Ulster will put together a blueprint for the initiative that will place strong emphasis on the commercial application of the Science Park's research and development programme. Nearly two thirds of Northern Ireland's civil R & D base is provided by higher education so we are thus in a unique position to exploit our scholarship and technological facilities towards further strengthening the province's research base".

Professor Gerry McKenna is the University of Ulster's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research. He reiterates the importance of a focused strategy. "The University has an outstanding record in technology transfer", said Professor McKenna today. "This includes the strategically targeted work of our ten applied research centres. We are also the leading United Kingdom university in the Teaching Company scheme and work in collaboration with IRTU, Loughry College and Queen's University in the Manufacturing Technology Partnership which is designed to allow SME's to access University facilities and expertise".

He added: "UUTECH, the University's own technology transfer company has now been established to exploit patents, royalties and licences and to hold the University's stake in spin-off/start up companies which are emerging from our campuses across Northern Ireland. For that reason, we particularly welcome the Minister's statement that the final design should not be constrained by Science Park formats but should recognise the special needs of Northern Ireland. It is an exciting prospect".

For further information, please contact:

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