Having now considered the detail of the Government response to the Wilson Review PraxisUnico is pleased that the response has re-affirmed the autonomous position of universities and that the response includes so many examples of excellent practice across the sector.  PraxisUnico responded to the Wilson Review at its first publication and this Government response reflects many of those recommendations either fully, or in part.

PraxisUnico welcomes the creation of the National Centre for Universities and Business through CIHE.  PraxisUnico will continue working with CIHE in making the Centre effective.  As well as interactions at chief executive level, PraxisUnico believes that effective interaction is enhanced through working across all organisational levels and PraxisUnico is keen to participate in developments concerning intellectual property, technology transfer, enterprise, research and development.  PraxisUnico awaits with interest the introduction of the TSB Innovation Vouchers Scheme in the Autumn and is pleased that the TSB will also be signposting the Voucher Schemes run by over 20 universities. PraxisUnico would wish further thought to be given by BIS to empowering universities, where they wish to do so, to deliver Government funding schemes directly rather than through intermediaries.  We believe that such empowerment can deliver effective collaborations swiftly and effectively.  

PraxisUnico believes that collaboration between universities and businesses is essential for the development of a future-proof economy and believes that there is much more which could be done in the area of inward investment.  We look forward to a continuing increase in focus by UKTI on universities as a business sector, in its own right, engaged in significant international trade. 

It is ten years since the creation of Praxis (now part of PraxisUnico) and over 2,500 individuals have now received training in effective working with business and technology transfer.  In September 2012, PraxisUnico will host an event at the House of Commons to mark the significant achievements of technology and knowledge transfer in the UK over the past ten years.

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About PraxisUnico

PraxisUnico is the UK’s leading research commercialisation association and a not-for-profit educational organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact.  PraxisUnico encourages innovation and acts as a voice for the research commercialisation profession, facilitating the interaction between the public sector research base, business and government.  PraxisUnico provides a forum for best practice exchange, underpinned by first-class training and development programmes.

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