New National Strategy for Research and Development launched by the Taoiseach
The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., has described the new Government 'Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation' as a "ground-breaking step forward for the higher education system in Ireland."
Minister Hanafin was speaking at the official launch of the strategy by the Taoiseach at Government Buildings today. The strategy involves a multi-billion euro investment on research and development activity in the period to 2013. It will involve a doubling of PhD numbers and the establishment of an estimated 350 new Principal Investigator led research teams throughout an expanded fourth level education system.
"This strategy is an investment in our future national prosperity. In the global knowledge age, our competitiveness and economic growth will rely on our ability to innovate and to create high value jobs. Advanced research and development and the availability of highly qualified people will be the key to our success. This strategy sets the blue-print for achieving that" Minister Hanafin said.
The Minister said that the education system at all levels will be central in delivering on the strategy and she expressed her commitment to ensuring that it was ready to deliver. "The strategy will rely on the creation of a world quality fourth level system with cutting edge infrastructure and skilled researchers. There are capacity and organisational challenges for the system in doubling our PhD numbers and in providing facilities and supports for the additional research teams that are planned under the strategy.
The achievement of reforms and modernisation at third level will also be essential to support this. Indeed, curriculum and teaching developments at primary and secondary levels will also be an important priority in ensuring that, in the longer term, our students are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available as a result of the planned investments under this strategy", the Minister stated.
"The growth of cutting edge research activity and the development of world class facilities and structures at fourth level will have a transforming impact on our higher education institutions. Previous experience with the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) indicates that this will have hugely positive benefits for the quality of teaching and learning at third level.
In providing the facilities and skills that will be required to drive this strategy forward, our higher education institutions are set for a period of exciting development. There will be important potential roles for all of our higher education institutions, including a particular contribution envisaged by the strategy for the institutes of technology in advancing regional industry collaboration."
Minister Hanafin went on to say that the Government's €300 million multi-annual Strategic Innovation Fund is already in place "to promote reform and collaboration in the sector. With this new research strategy, and the commitment of substantial additional funding to commence its implementation, we now have a platform for developing a world class higher education system that can deliver on Ireland's strategic development objectives over the coming years
ENDS