Brown promises money to commercialise research
Chancellor Gordon Brown has promised more money for the commercialisation of university research. In his Mansion House speech in the City last night, Mr Brown said that next month's spending review would ensure that universities could finance teaching, research and third stream activities to help universities commercialise inventions and research. Mr Brown said that the spending review would provide money to complete the refurbishment of science laboratories. He also promised an expansion in vocational education with financial incentives for people to take such qualifications channelled through education maintenance allowances.
Chancellors lobby Treasury for more funds
University chancellors who sit in the House of Lords met chief secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng yesterday to demand more money for universities in the spending review. The delegation comprised Lord Hannay of Chiswick, pro-chancellor of Birmingham University, Baroness Lockwood, chancellor of Bradford University, Lord Paul, chancellor of Wolverhampton University and Lord Sheppard of Didgemere, chancellor of Middlesex University.
Liverpool bidding to be European Capital of Culture
Arts bosses are meeting to hear how Liverpool can bolster its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008. They will be addressed by Peter Toyne of the Liverpool Capital of Culture Company, a former vic-chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
Suspicious student death under investigation
Detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a student whose body was discovered at the weekend in his halls of residence room in Liverpool. John Leaning, a first-year Liverpool John Moores University languages student, was found on Sunday by a friend.
£17.5m windfall for Scots institutions
Andy Kerr, Scotland's minister for finance and public services, has announced an extra £17.5 million for further and higher education from funds left unspent in the Scottish Executive's budget at the end of the financial year. He said enterprise and lifelong learning minister Iain Gray would outline spending plans for the new money "at a later date".