Research & ICT
The South West has 14 Universities and Higher Education Colleges, who are working in all fields of research. Universities South West acts as the forum for them to work together in collaboration with regional organisations and industry. The Great Western Research initiative promotes collaboration between the highest quality research groups in the South West and regional businesses in order to attract international interest and recognition to support the growth of the Region. The South West Regional Development Agency is responsible for delivering the Regional Economic Strategy and has identified the following economic sectors and three emerging sectors to focus on: advanced engineering, ICT, marine, food & drink, tourism, creative industries, environmental technologies and biomedical.
The South West is key to share its expertise and learn from other regions through the Regions of Knowledge Programme. As a convergence region, Cornwall will also be looking to access funding under the Research Potential Programme. There is also interest in engaging in the Marie Curie Programme to train its researchers and with particular interest in the industry-academia partnerships and pathways.
Whilst the South West boasts a highly sucessful ICT and digital media sector and takes ICT seriously as a major economic, social and environmental driver for the Region. The South West enjoys the highest level of domestic broadband take-up in the UK. The South West of England Regional Development Agency is also committed to helping the Region's businesses, communities and individuals adopt and exploit ICT.
The regional ICT work is aligned as follows:
- Infrastructure-related work, including EU programme commissioned activity
- The promotion of ICT as a driver of productivity (eBusiness)
- Relationships with key ICT companies
