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Calls for Wales 'science chief' Call to focus science on economy
(about 1 hour later)
A chief scientist is needed to ensure that Wales is at the cutting edge of technology, an assembly committee's report is expected to say later.A chief scientist is needed to ensure that Wales is at the cutting edge of technology, an assembly committee's report is expected to say later.
The assembly's enterprise, innovation and networks committee review will suggest Wales' future prosperity depends on cutting edge research.The assembly's enterprise, innovation and networks committee review will suggest Wales' future prosperity depends on cutting edge research.
The report also says Welsh universities should be encouraged to target research on products to benefit the economy.The report also says Welsh universities should be encouraged to target research on products to benefit the economy.
The report follows a review of Welsh Assembly Government science policy.The report follows a review of Welsh Assembly Government science policy.
Many of the great discoveries have not been made with the minds of the scientists focused on a patent or creating wealth Dr Arwyn Tomos Jones, Cardiff University Many of the great discoveries have not been made with the minds of the scientists focused on a patent or creating wealth Arwyn Tomos Jones, Cardiff University
It examined how science can help generate wealth in Wales through research and development.It examined how science can help generate wealth in Wales through research and development.
The report is expected to say the role of the chief scientist would be to advise the assembly government on science policy and to act as an ambassador for Welsh scientists around the world.The report is expected to say the role of the chief scientist would be to advise the assembly government on science policy and to act as an ambassador for Welsh scientists around the world.
It is also expected to call for an advisory board to steer Welsh scientific policy.It is also expected to call for an advisory board to steer Welsh scientific policy.
The chair of the assembly's innovation and enterprise committee, Christine Gwyther, said the chief scientist would work with the board to "draw together all the strands".The chair of the assembly's innovation and enterprise committee, Christine Gwyther, said the chief scientist would work with the board to "draw together all the strands".
She said: "They would be advising the Welsh Assembly Government, but they would also be drawing in expertise from academia, but importantly from the business world as well."She said: "They would be advising the Welsh Assembly Government, but they would also be drawing in expertise from academia, but importantly from the business world as well."
'Wealth creation' 'Make a difference'
The report also says universities have a key part to play by making sure their research turns into products that can be sold.The report also says universities have a key part to play by making sure their research turns into products that can be sold.
The vice chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard Davies, said it was important to recognise that "times have changed". The vice-chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard Davies, said it was important to recognise that "times have changed".
He said: "Ten years ago we weren't required to be a major source of wealth creation. Now, we are asked to do that.He said: "Ten years ago we weren't required to be a major source of wealth creation. Now, we are asked to do that.
"We look on it as a responsibility now, for us to develop our science, our technology, our engineering, to make a difference to the economy of Wales.""We look on it as a responsibility now, for us to develop our science, our technology, our engineering, to make a difference to the economy of Wales."
'Great discoveries''Great discoveries'
But David Rosser, from the confederation of British Industry (CBI) Wales said the success or failure of the science review would come down to money. But David Rosser, of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Wales, said the success or failure of the science review would come down to money.
He said: "There are hard choices to be made. It is a lot more expensive to train people in scientific disciplines, to do research in science, than it is in language or the arts." He said: "There are hard choices to be made. It is a lot more expensive to train people in scientific disciplines, to do research in science, than it is in language or the arts".
And Dr Arwyn Tomos Jones, a lecturer at the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University, said that pure science also had its advantages. Arwyn Tomos Jones, a lecturer at the Welsh School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University, said that pure science also had its advantages.
"Many of the great discoveries have not been made with the minds of the scientists focused on a patent or creating wealth."Many of the great discoveries have not been made with the minds of the scientists focused on a patent or creating wealth.
"It is just some kind of intuition and a great idea, then of course that itself generates wealth," he explained. "It is just some kind of intuition and a great idea, then of course that itself generates wealth," he said.