Finally drawing breath to update on progress within UKTI on the Science & Innovation agenda…
 We now have a new University Liaison Officer, Rufikat Ijaiyat,  tasked to talk to Universities strategically at senior levels on behalf of Ministers.
The purpose? To inform universities of what UKTI can do in helping them in their internationally commercial activities, to [...]

Just returned from this UKTI event we organised, with help. The first ever gathering in the UK or even the world, of an entire innovation system represented in one room. Exploring how we make a great performance in innovation get better, especially by international engagement.

Have you heard any horror stories about procurement? Well here is one approach that is helping to deal with that problem.
I was in Plymouth last week for a “Partnering for Defence” event run at the Devonport Dockyard by Partnership Sourcing. This  ‘not for profit’ organisation has created a partnering standard with the British Standards Institute;  PAS11000.
Using [...]

We’re launching a new version of the Innovation Map on 23rd October at Innovation Nation, the Insiders Workshop.
Critically, we’re bringing together representatives from all themes to discuss how to develop the UK innovation offering, including a focus on our international message. A joined up UK approach? Whatever next.
Watch out for the fab glossy report from [...]

Spoke to a group of Brazilian MBA students, from Unisinos University in the South, supported by Paul Blackmore from our Brazil desk. They seemed very aware of the possibilities of linking researchers, eg in universities and industry and I was able to give them examples of why the UK is successful in this area and [...]

Excellent event. Take a look at the videos.
Attended the Technology Strategy Board’s Innovate 09 with a team of colleagues, UKTI specialists, including one via the web link, so thanks to those who delivered on our behalf at short notice -  Robyn that includes you!
A good buzz from the various talks and of course Peter Mandelson’s [...]

Met a group from the Indian Institutes of Technology yesterday. IITs are the premier higher education establishments in India producing for example most of The Indus Entrepreneurs who are the largest non US nationality involved in Silicon Valley.
IITs are keen to move from producing very good graduates to moving towards technology transfer. The UK is [...]

The team’s lead on University Liaison for UKTI has meant we have been talking to individual universities such as Southampton and Nottingham and their groups including Universities UK (UUK) and the Russell Group.
We are discussing what UKTI can do for them in terms of supporting their international commercially focused engagements. For example strategic engagements with [...]

We’ve been promoting UK abilities in Nanotechnology to a global audience for three years.
This year on 3/4th Nov we have extended this to cover two other emerging technologies of plastic electronics and precision surfaces. A showcase of UK capabilities for a domestic and international audience.
Look at UKnano.biz

Just met an Australian Government advisor. Talking innovation in the UK and how the UK innovation approach involves  flexible organisations pulling in the same direction - ie universities, incubators, lawyers, research councils, financiers, designers and marketing people. Their new government is keen on science and innovation and think they can work with us. Perhaps we should recognise [...]