READING University has unveiled its final plans for a sprawling science park which will create up to 12,000 jobs.
Vice-chancellor Sir David Bell hailed the "exciting" news on Monday that the university has finalised a deal to splash 50m on the vast science and innovation park in Shinfield, which will be built alongside its 1,200 home development on the edge of the village. The futuristic facility will include 200,000sq ft of offices and high tech laboratories and will take 20-25 years to complete.
Companies housed in the centre will enjoy unparalleled access to the university's academics, whilst students will be encouraged to take up internships to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship.
Sir David told the Chronicle: "This is a long term project, but this university has already been around for quite a long time and this is about thinking of the generations ahead. As well as some of the shorter term benefits, this is about ensuring that successive generations of students and staff benefit.
"It's really important at a time when too many other organisations are accused of thinking too short term that universities like us are thinking long term. We're investing for that length of time and you can't get a better indication of our commitment to Reading than that."
The park will be 15 times the size of the university's current business space, the Reading Enterprise Centre on the Whiteknights campus, which houses 80 knowledge-based companies employing more than 750 people. The centre is designed to play a key role in driving the region's bustling science scene, targeting technology-led companies that have grown out of their offices in London.
Sir David said: "You take an educated risk in doing this sort of project but we're not going out on this on a wing and a prayer, we've done our research and there's that kind of demand for this kind of facility.
"I want this to be the place that growing, innovative, imaginative new companies will come to. This really could be a very exciting worldwide centre for innovation."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 18 Jul 13
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
Copyright ?2013 Berkshire Media Group, 50/56 Portman Road Reading Berkshire RG30 1BA ? Tel: 0118 955 3333 ? Fax:
brazil Dick Van Dyke pro bowl victoria azarenka Royal Rumble 2013 senior bowl norovirus
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.