APPENDIX 31
Memorandum submitted by Mr A Bhogal, Director
Engineering and Deputy Secretary, the Institution of Civil Engineers
The Institution welcomes measures that promote
the importance of science, engineering and technology in the world
today. We have no specific comments to make; however we would
like to make the following points with regard to the positive
influence the White Paper has had on the Research Councils. In
particular:
(1) there has been a shift towards funding
research proposals that can demonstrate wealth creation or improvement
in the quality of life as an outcome;
(2) changes to the management of the Councils,
in particular the EPSRC, and the way in which it promotes itself
have resulted in much better communication with the academic community,
leading to more relevant grant proposals;
(3) the projects funded under the Public
Understanding of Science initiative are all extremely relevant
and in the long term will lead to better public appreciation of
the significance of scientific research to society.
15 June 2000
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