Association of Crown Research Institutes

Call for stronger R&D System applauded by CRIs

The call by the Knowledge Wave Trust for a stronger research & development system in New Zealand is welcomed by the Association of Crown Research Institutes (ACRI).

Paul Tocker, ACRI President and chief executive of Crop & Food Research said today:

"Notwithstanding some errors in analysis and research detail, the Trust's report has got it right in the most critical top level areas.

"R&D does need to be a national strategic priority; we do need to do more and better with our resources in the public and private sectors; we do need to have far more involvement by the private sector in R&D; and we do need to build on New Zealand's strengths to build sustainable competitive advantage.

"This aligns with the CRIs call for a performance-based science system that maximises the use of New Zealand's scarce resources of people and equipment.

"We are promoting greater collaboration between all research providers, including CRIs, universities and the private sector, to ensure a more effective and efficient use of resources.

"Greater clarity of roles and responsibilities in producing excellent science and innovative products or services is needed.

"ACRI met with the NZ Vice Chancellors Committee Research Committee on 25 September to put forward our views on the core concepts for a stronger R&D system.

"We have also shared those concepts with other people and organisations interested in improving New Zealand science and innovation. The KWT Report provides a welcome addition to the discussion.

"There will be a number of views on the detail. It is arguable that New Zealand's economy and institutions are so different from other nations, that we cannot simply transpose those to here but must be very selective.

"For our part, we see the national growth and innovation framework as important in setting out economic, environmental and social goals. The science sector must work with others, in education and training for example, to achieve those goals.

"Undoubtedly, science policy must become a Level One priority for the nation. Science can help transform New Zealand and provide us with the economic, environmental and social benefits we want for ourselves and our society.

"There is no time to waste in radical change delivering speculative benefit at best. We can get cracking now, learn from each other's experience, connectedness and knowledge, and work cooperatively.

"It is time to take on the world, and support each other in doing so."

The CRIs have identified core concepts for a performance-based science system (Transforming New Zealand through Science). This can be found on the ACRI website, on www.acri.cri.nz/views/statements.shmtl

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