Tuesday, March 02, 2010

UK science 'must meet challenge' of emerging nations

The Council of Science and Technology published a report on Monday that sets out a vision to protect and enhance research excellence in the UK.

The panel said it was vital the competition from emerging powers, such as China and India, was met head on.

But it warned current investment had to be sustained to make this possible.

The UK's public research budget has doubled since 1997 under a 10-year framework (begun in 2004) that should see total science spending top £6bn for 2010/11.

This upward path needed to be continued into the future, said Professor Dame Janet Finch, the council's co-chair.

"Irrespective of whatever government we have in power, we need to ensure there is stability not only of research funding but also stability of purpose, direction and vision," she told BBC News.

"It is essential to do this," council member Professor Alan Hughes added. "Most of our international rivals have invested extremely heavily in boosting their investment in this area."

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8543513.stm

No comments: