Has the Northern Ireland Economic Council (NIEC) had discussions with university leaders?
2405. Mrs Trewsdale: Not directly. The idea was that in some cases, employees of the firms themselves should enter universities to help with the practical teaching side. It is a two-way flow, which occurs in Northern Ireland to a certain extent through the teaching company scheme. However, we have not been in direct negotiations with the two universities on the issue. As you say, there are examples both at Queen’s and the University of Ulster of firms which have donated money for named chairs, which they see as prestigious. Neither of the universities would be averse if a company came along with several hundred thousand pounds for the purpose of employing more lecturers. It is a matter of getting them to do it. 2406. Mr Gough: The three key elements are the firms, the educational institutions and Government funding. Even in Massachusetts, the key funder was the Government rather than firms. Best cites other examples such as Taiwan, Singapore and the Republic of Ireland where that was a
