Tuesday 15 July 2008

R&D Society: Meeting fees waived for Individual Student members

For a trial period, afternoon and evening meetings (excluding dinner) are free for Individual Student members.

Students at universities that are Corporate members pay the R&D Society Corporate member rate unless they are also Individual Student members.

This includes attendance at The 2008 Duncan Davies lecture: The challenges of the 21st century with Sir David King on the evening of Tuesday 15 July 2008, and the afternoon seminar ‘Green R&D’, Developing products for a low-carbon and sustainable future, also on 15 July 2008.

Individual Student membership is £15 for 1 July 2008 - 31 December 2008, and is open to all PhD, Masters and Undergraduate students - proof of status will be required. You can join online by credit or debit card, or follow with payment by cheque or cash.

R&D Society: Nominate now for the 2009 Duncan Davies Medal

The Research and Development Society is accepting nominations for the 2009 Duncan Davies Medal.

Named in honour of past-President Duncan Davies, the medal is awarded annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution toward making the UK the best–performing research and development environment in the world. Previous recipients include Sir Richard Sykes, Sir Peter Williams, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Lord Sainsbury, Dame Bridget Ogilvie, Lord Kumar Bhattacharya, Sir Tom McKillop and Sir Robin Saxby.

The medal is presented at the Duncan Davies Medal Lecture, which is given annually by the recipient.

To nominate a recipient, complete the short nomination form by the closing date of noon on Tuesday 15 July 2008.

Monday 7 July 2008

Policy input: Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value, c/d 7 July 2008

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is consulting on its high level skills strategy, 'Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value'. The strategy wants to "equip the workforce with the skills required for an innovative and competitive economy." They define these as skills associated with higher education.

They are asking employers to answer questions such as
  • What incentives would encourage employers to be more involved in providing careers information, advice and guidance both before, and during university?
  • How can we encourage business people to be increasingly contributing directly to course content, design and teaching of university courses?
  • How can we do more to increase the level of STEM skills in the existing workforce?

You can find out more about the consultation at the'Higher Education at Work – High Skills: High Value'. To respond, fill out the Higher Education at Work online response form. You don't need to answer all the questions - answering only one or two questions is useful too. Responses are accepted until 7 July 2008.