One Response to Research funding retains academics while driving innovation »»

1. Dr David Hill
   Comment by Dr David Hill | 2010/07/21 at 19:46:55

   But the question is. How many new global technological industries has our university systems created. I cannot think of one but Dr. Bergman may like to enlighten us on what they are and what contribution back into the EU they have given in terms of billions of EURO. i.e. what payback in other words in real terms (EUROs) has all this research provided. I would like to know not just in words and inflated possibles, but in hard cash. For if we invest billions into university research there has to be a financial payback. Otherwise we are not running our universities like businesses where they fail or succeed on wise investment. I believe it is called numbers crunching. Only where undisputed figures are provided that our universities have createc something with a payback can we really believe that they are an asset.
   The history of science and technology over the last quarter of a century has shown that EU university research has not provided life-changing inventions or high-tech products that can really be said to be global and adequate to support the people of Europe on a long-term basis. What do we really get back as a surplus is the question also other than take all the time. There are many and I mean many, pet research projects that a sheer drain on the pocket of Europeans. We have to get real and quick if we are to defend ourselves against the onslaught of the increasing might of SE Asia. And that is a fact.

   Dr David Hill
   Executive Director
   World Innovation Foundation Charity
   Bern, Switzerland

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