A programme of courses and initiatives to stimulate the commercialisation of academic work is now under development at the University following the March's launch in Glasgow of the £4 million Scottish Institute for Enterprise.
Enterprise Management Dundee is one of a consortium of five universities, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Strathclyde granted the money through the Government's Science Enterprise Challenge to bring together the academic and business worlds, stimulating entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of research and helping to build Scotland's new knowledge economy.
The core of the new Institute will be based in Glasgow while Dundee's reputation for commercialising science and engineering makes it an ideal location for the Centre for Enterprise Management - a local arm of the Scottish Institute.
The £730,000 Dundee Centre for Enterprise Management will be directed by Professor Malcolm Horner who said: "This is a tremendously exciting initiative and one which could benefit businesses, the economy, students and academics throughout north east Scotland and beyond. One of the Centre's main roles will be to increase the number of start-up and spin out companies as well as licensing opportunities from the University. We will be linking closely with industry and running a range of enterprise management related courses for students and academic staff as well as for business."
The centre will provide courses in enterprise topics for all fourth year and postgraduate students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Later these are expected to extend to students across the entire University. Courses in enterprise management will also be developed for businesses throughout North East Scotland.
"Science students thinking of careers in the worlds of industry and business are likely to find the enterprise training and opportunities afforded as an integral part of their degree course, particularly attractive," commented Professor Horner. "One of the initiatives planned is to generate links between industry, postgraduates and final year honours students."
Four new posts will be created, initially - a senior lecturer, lecturer, commercialisation officer and administrative assistant. The first courses are expected to start later this year.
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