Cambridge is one of the world’s leading research universities with more than 80 Nobel Prizes to its credit - more than any other single university in the world.

This research is addressing some of the biggest problems in our world including conservation, prevention of infectious diseases, and the possibilities involved in the use of stem cell technology.

The excellence of research at the University is the result of the major contributions of its staff and students. However, for this to continue, the University needs to create research space that will the drive the top-level academic and collaborative research that is increasingly being carried out within the University.

"The ability to be able to respond rapidly to new developments is critical to success in research, and the proposed new research facilities at the North West Cambridge site will allow the University to attract funding from the public, charitable and industrial sectors, and draw in international institutions and companies. " Explained Professor Ian White, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Affairs.

"We are proposing to build 50,000 sqm of research and development space at the site, which will enable us to expand on our work carried out collaboratively with public and charitable sector research institutes and industry. It is very important to develop environments where all of this activity can co-exist, for mutual benefit.

"The University needs to be able to provide a range of opportunities for such collaborations - from small embedded units within academic departments to sites for major research. Above all the University needs to be able to respond rapidly to opportunities arising from breakthroughs in research, technological advances and new funding."

Commercial research activity is undertaken in offices, laboratories and production research space. In Cambridge there is a great need for more facilities to support:

• Existing embedded businesses;

• Start up businesses within the University;

• Businesses located or potentially seeking to locate in the area.

The North West Cambridge site would meet this vital need.

"It is essential for the future of the UK economy that academic and research capability is strong in this country." added Professor White "We must ensure the people with high quality skills and experience wish to remain here - and cutting edge facilities such as North West Cambridge will benefit this aim."

For Professor White's full article, 'The Need' - click here.