Lord Mandelson is
visiting Germany today on a fact finding mission, to see how the
UK could learn from the success of the country’s innovation network.
Known as the Fraunhofer model, the network of technology and
innovation centres plays a key role in supporting the development
and commercialisation of new technologies. These institutes are a
vital link between the academic sector and the needs of industry.
Today’s visit anticipates next month’s Hauser Review. Lord
Mandelson has commissioned technology entrepreneur Hermann Hauser
to evaluate the current and future role of technology and
innovation centres in the UK, and see how we can learn from best
practice elsewhere to ensure our communities and businesses are
fully equipped to compete and succeed in the global economy
emerging from this downturn.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Lord
Mandelson said:
"I have always said that Britain is a land of inventors
and innovators. I am proud of how well we create and design items,
but I want to ensure we translate all our achievements into
money-makers and ultimately jobs.
“Germany has long been admired as a world leader in this field
and so I am here to learn about their success. I look forward to
reporting back on how we can use their experience to help advance
economic growth in the UK.”
During his one-day trip Lord Mandelson will also meet his German
Government counterparts, Federal Minister of Economics and
Technology Rainer Brüderle and State Secretary from the Federal
Ministry of Education and Research Dr. Georg Schütte.
Lord Mandelson and Mr Brüderle will issue a joint statement
highlighting the importance of EU Member States working together
to pursue a co-ordinated, ambitious growth strategy, designed to
ensure an economically robust Europe that’s capable of delivering
strong and sustainable economic growth.
Notes to Editors
1. On 7 January 2010 the Government launched the ‘Going for
Growth’ strategy and asked technology entrepreneur Hermann
HauserCBE to undertake an urgent but systematic evaluation of
the UK’s existing innovation network. This work will sit alongside
a new report commissioned from Regional Development Agencies on
how universities working together with the agencies can drive
economic growth in their areas.
2. Going for Growth is available online at www.bis.gov.uk/growth
3. Lord Mandelson’s visit forms part of the work being done to
refocus Britain’s industrial policy to support sustainable
economic growth and develop areas fundamental to our future
success. These include Low Carbon Industry, Life Sciences, Digital
Britain, Advanced Manufacturing, Composites, and Plastic Electronics.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk