The state has invested more than $1.2 billion in biotechnology in the past ten years, between facilities, research, training programmes and incentives for companies.
For example, Conor O'Carroll, rapporteur for group F, said that this group had reached a consensus that structured PhD research training programmes are a good thing, and recommended that the EC undertake to "map current practices" for such programmes.
A range of RCB 'interventions' were utilised in the approach including: Formal research training was offered through short courses and structured research training programmes provided by the RDSU.
Furthermore, medical school programme managers are increasingly recognising the importance of early exposure to academia, with reports of integrated curricular research training programmes, met with positive attitudes by students [ 35, 36].
In addition, given the important role of research training programmes in creating and maintaining research networks [ 37], more efforts may also be concentrated in these programs as an added solution to strengthening previous collaborations.
Because a relatively low proportion of these fellowships convert to postdoctoral research training programmes (the Clinician Scientist scheme), the overall quality of candidates and value of the scheme has been called into question.
This paper describes the development of a specifically designed research awareness training programme and underpinning theoretical model, which has been specifically designed to support active and meaningful lay involvement in research, evaluations and audit projects.
Resources used to inform optimal capacity needed by a teaching hospital to promote research (case study 3) included adaptations of research skills training programmes, and frameworks used for enhancing quality management systems in organisations.
Although funding for research remains highly competitive, it feels as if there are more opportunities, and in my own field of petroleum geoscience, there are tremendous opportunities to develop applied research and training programmes, in a sense to catch up with the UK.
Joint funding for research and training programmes and industry support of university degree programmes that meet industry needs, can be a way forward.
