A university challenge: Perspectives on university contributions to place-based growth - Roy Sandbach
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Professor Roy Sandbach discusses the role of universities in place-based economic growth. He argues that universities should (1) make business engagement critical to their mission by acting as a resource for solving innovation challenges, (2) encourage collaboration between academics/students and local businesses for problem-solving and skills development, and (3) define powerful research commercialization programs that engage businesses early. Sandbach emphasizes the need for universities to build strategic relationships both with small, local businesses and with large multinationals to best support regional growth.
A university challenge: Perspectives on university contributions to place-based growth - Roy Sandbach
- 1. A University Challenge Perspectives on University contributions to place-based growth….. Professor Roy Sandbach OBE Newcastle University Former Chair, Innovation Board, North East Local Enterprise Partnership Previously R&D Director, Procter & Gamble HEFCE Conference , October 12th 2017
- 2. A brief journey through…........ • Innovation, what exactly is it ? • Innovation for place-based growth…...the issues to be addressed • TheUniversity rolein regional growth. My wishlist for action
- 3. Innovation “matching what’s possible with what’s needed...... to create economic value or social good or both......”
- 4. To match what’s possible with what’s needed..... From anywhere, networked solutions And from creative idea to market implementation With shared risk & reward NOT ALL THE BRIGHT PEOPLE WORK FOR YOU
- 5. 5
- 6. 6 Place-based economic growth We areall involved….... We all liveand work somewhere......... So, what’s the need ?
- 7. FIRSTFORPHARMA North EastEngland Pharmaceut1.cal Community
- 8. 679 892 895 896 972 1,130 1,144 1,243 1,464 Businesses by English region…..2016 Per 10K population
- 9. Legend Business Density Rate D s5o - 85o 850 - 1,050 - 1,050 - 1,250 - 1,250 - 1,500 England 1,088 UK 1,040 Contains Ordnance Survey Data © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2016
- 10. *This is a quotient of Business R&D expenditure (£MM)/capita of population (MM)……based on ONS Data 2017. Now let’s look at Business R&D expenditure*…… East of England 68 4 South East 52 3 North West 29 3 East Midlands 32 2 South West 26 7 West Midlands 37 3 Yorkshire 14
- 11. 11 Attitude, Ability, Aspiration analysis Santander Entrepreneurial Review…
- 12. Specific SME insights…. • Many are not ready to innovate…no time/money • Those that are (or need to) have no systems in place • SMEs have limited networks, usually within their supply-chain • They have very short-termissues & want simplicity of engagement • They often have a dimview of Universities • They are wary of dialogue with corporates. • They worry about funding complexities
- 13. Specific Multinational insights…. • They also want simplicity of engagement • Spacially agnostic….but can be loyal…… • They can support long-termexamination of opportunity • They are slow decision-makers…especially on big commitments • They are strategically driven • They understand fully the need to harvest externally
- 14. 12 So, where do I see Universities in all this ?
- 15. What does an engaged University really look like ?• Strategy, strategy, strategy. Makes business engagement critical to the mission……. • Acts as the key resource for innovation challenge problem-solving. Looks outside. Offers access to key physical assets. Is a regional cluster/innovation hub. • Encourages academics/students to collaborate with regional businesses & social enterprises for problem solving ( as well as research & skills development). Builds strategic relationships & understands the rhythm of small business. Supports entrepreneurship. • Collaborates with multinationals strategically. Organises jointly for success. Builds major strategic relationships. • Defines a powerful research commercialisation programme. Engage interested external business & investment people early….to bring “skin in the game”. Doesn’t get bogged down by IP rules. Today “growth trumps protection”. • Creates strong networks across
- 16. Finally, finally, it’s never easy....... “It is far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to be one of those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” Theodore Rooseveldt (1858-1919)
- 18. One final point....... Brexit has taught me….. People are not engaged..... Meaningful Visible Participatory Without this, we are speaking only to ourselves.