Scientist decline could hamper UK R&D
crisis if more is not done to encourage students to opt for science
and engineering courses, according to the Association of the
British Pharmaceutical Industry, writes Phil Taylor.
A spokesman for the trade group noted that a shortage of young scientists could put a brake on the progress the UK has made in recent years in making the country a fertile area for investment in biopharmaceutical R&D.
Dr Philip Wright, ABPI Director of Science and Technology, welcomed the government's announcement in this week's Budget that it will raise funding for education to £77 billion by 2007-08, up from £37 billion in 1997 and £59 billion this year.
However, he cautioned that the UK's intention to drive science and innovation in the UK "will be impossible without a strong supply of scientists and engineers".
Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveal that the number of UK students going into higher education has risen 11 per cent between 1995-96 and 2002-02.
But over the same timeframe, there has been an 8 per cent decline in the numbers doing science and technology courses, a 20 per cent decline in the physical sciences and a 31 per cent drop in chemistry undergraduates.
Dr Wright noted that the government should move away from the arbitrary target of getting 50 per cent of all school leavers into university and make sure that undergraduate science courses are funded effectively.
A spokesman for the ABPI told DrugResearcher.com that one of the foundations of the UK's standing as a location for pharmaceutical research is its strong science base, and this depends on a flow of good scientists. And the drug industry - which funds 30 per cent of R&D in the country - could be compromised.
But he stressed that the government's recognition of the problem is not in question; the ABPI merely wants a more targeted approach to tackling it.
"This government has shown its commitment to and knowledge of the importance of investing in science," said the spokesman, noting that this had 'crumbled' under the previous Conservative administration.
One advance is the introduction of work-related learning within the national curriculum which will be implemented in the UK in September. This is defined as planned activity that uses work as a context for learning and encompasses a broad range of activities allowing students to experience working life.
"Pharmaceutical companies are playing their role in attracting bright students into science - Government must also rise to the challenge," said Dr Wright.
He pointed to the drug industry's programme of financial assistance for schools, as well to identifying managers in the industry that can become 'scientist in residence' at particular schools, running careers fairs and sponsoring awards.
For example, GlaxoSmithKline and other companies provide bursaries to enable students to spend four to six weeks at R&D sites working on specially designed scientific projects.
