Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol5-1 > Newcastle University, top of the league

The university?s position as one of the UK?s top 20 research institutions has been re-affirmed with the publication of the UK?s first official survey of research quality for seven years, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008.

The RAE 2008 identified that research at Newcastle University is world-leading or internationally excellent in all 38 Units of Assessment, spanning medicine, the sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and the arts. The university?s position and high standing in engineering is affirmed by its performance in civil engineering, where it ranks second in the UK in terms of research power. The RAE results also highlight the leading role of medical research and the outstanding achievements and quality of stem cell and cancer research. In the humanities, Newcastle University is ranked in the top five for fine art, with Town and Country planning also highly placed.

The university has a vibrant programme of research activity with an international flavour. It has a strong portfolio of European Union research funding, with over 150 framework projects involving 1,700 international partners. The university also believes in innovation in the development and delivery of the curriculum to equip future students to respond to the knowledge-driven economy. It has a strong reputation of working closely with industry in new higher-level skills developments, with new collaborations in the fields of sub-sea engineering, process industries, clinical pharmacology and drug development.

A major centre in Biopharmaceutical Process Development has been launched in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and industrial partners. The centre will train 60 specialist PhD students over the next eight years. In 2008, Newcastle university launched the NUMI ? Singapore campus, which is delivering degrees in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture with Off-shore Engineering. In Malaysia, the university confirmed its commitment to international medical education with the establishment of NUMed, a branch campus in Malaysia?s Educity as part of a major economic development project in Johor. The campus will eventually allow 900 students to study for Newcastle degrees in Medicine and Bio-medical Sciences.

Research is also being taken to market through a strong programme of spin-out company formation. Over 20 commercial developments are underway at any one time. Profero Energy Inc, has been established in collaboration with scientists at the University of Calgary, Canada.

Profero Energy is arousing great interest from the oil and gas exploration industry and builds on research, published in the leading scientific journal Nature. Other technologies under commercial development include genetic screening, cyclic carbonate synthesis, novel catalysts for CO2 sequestration, underground coal gasification, fuel cells, sensors for extreme environments, biomarkers, drug development, software imaging, PET imaging agents, biosensors, GMP facilities for stem cells, ozone generation and biofouling.

The university has a strong commitment to the economic development of the region. The Newcastle Science City project has at its heart the development of prosperity from science. The project involves a series of activities, one of which is to develop a vibrant hub of Newcastle Science City on a recently cleared 19-acre site in the city centre. The university is committed to collaboration and is working closely with Durham University through the Angel Alliance to develop a critical mass of activity in the field of science-led enterprise activity.

For more information, contact:
Dr Douglas Robertson, Director
Business Development Directorate
Tel: 0191 222 5148
E-mail:
Website: www.newcastle.ac.uk