§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the(a) number and (b) type of collaboration agreements between universities and colleges and industry; and if she will make a statement on the benefit of these agreements. [39703]
§ Margaret HodgeThe most recent description of collaboration between higher education institutions and business is the Higher Education—Business Interaction Survey report by the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, published in December 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Library. This survey was 35W commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England on behalf of stakeholders including the Department for Education and Skills. The report can also be found on the internet at www.hefce.ac.uldPubsthefce/2001/01–68.htm. Interactions and collaboration between higher education institutions and businesses can bring a number of benefits, for companies, for institutions, for employees and for students.