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HEFCE has announced it is awarding °×С½ãÂÛ̳ more than £5 million over three years through the fourth round of the Higher Education Innovation Fund, in support of the university's knowledge-transfer strategy.

At the same time °×С½ãÂÛ̳ was highlighted by HEFCE in an overview report on the significant progress that the higher-education sector has made in supporting economic and social development.Ìý °×С½ãÂÛ̳ was cited for its "commitment to a step-change in performance through integration of its economic and social contributions with its mission".

To mark the announcement, Ian Pearson, UK Minister of State for Science & Innovation in the government's Department of Innovation, Universities & Skills, visited °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Management Science & Innovation (MSI) on 2 October 2008.

He was shown around the new °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Engineering Front Building by Professor Malcolm Grant, °×С½ãÂÛ̳ President and Provost, Professor Mike Spyer, Vice-Provost (Enterprise), Tim Barnes, Executive Director of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances, and Professor Steve Currall, Head of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ MSI. The minister then held a Q&A session with °×С½ãÂÛ̳ MS&I students.

Professor Spyer said: "Our knowledge-transfer activities are significant and wide-ranging: from the supply of well-educated graduates, research publications and academic texts, to consultancy, research collaborations, short courses, events, sponsored studentships and technology commercialisation. We are committed to broadening and deepening these activities, because they are core to °×С½ãÂÛ̳'s mission to address the world's major challenges.

"This funding commitment will enhance our delivery of knowledge transfer, not least through two main programmes to develop our relationships with business. The Corporate Alliance Programme is for collaborations with a small number of major research-intensive businesses, and seeks to understand the corporate training needs and address them through °×С½ãÂÛ̳'s relevant expertise and technology. The Business Partnership Programme identifies and targets large multinational companies and SMEs with which °×С½ãÂÛ̳ can develop longer-term tailored partnerships, in order to enhance the university's international standing, stimulate °×С½ãÂÛ̳ research, consultancy and teaching income, and benefit other university activities."

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Pictures show Ian Pearson MP and MSI students at the minister's Q+A session