The University of Aberdeen welcomes the announcement by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) that the Institution is to receive £60 million in 2005/06 - a 3.9% increase over last year - towards its teaching and research activities.
The funding is part of SHEFC’s £843 million allocation for teaching and research in 2005/06, across Scotland.
Professor Stephen Logan, the University’s Senior Vice-Principal, is delighted that Aberdeen has been so well supported in this latest funding round. Welcoming the increase, he said: “This is an enormous boost to all of our high quality activities. In particular it will benefit our teaching and learning and enhance our reputation as an institution involved in conducting research of national and international quality. The funding will benefit a number of high-profile research projects, and enable the University to continue to develop and enhance its research portfolio.”
The award also means that Aberdeen will receive a 74% increase (£650k) in its Knowledge Transfer Grant. The extra funding recognises the University’s increase in its knowledge transfer activities, including commercialisation of research, new company formations, licensing, and links with industry, particularly small and medium enterprises. An example of such links is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership, a Government-funded scheme which enables companies of any size to gain access to expertise within research institutions and to collaborate on strategic business development programmes.
Professor Logan added: “Receiving this particular level of funding clearly demonstrates that the quality of research at the University of Aberdeen is being recognised in the best possible way. It will enable us to develop commercialisation opportunities in Scotland and to continue to contribute to the local, regional and national economies.”
The University has a portfolio of over 400 patents pending and has 11 spin-out companies. Successful spin-outs include Auvation, a biotechnology company which develops innovative technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Brinker Technology, which promotes pipeline integrity in the oil and gas industry worldwide, Haptogen, a biotechnology company which uses antibody engineering to tackle serious infections including MRSA, and TauRX, working in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
The Institution has been highly successful in attracting external funding to support its research, and the SHEFC funding will further enhance the University’s competitiveness nationally and internationally.