The Scottish Government

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Introduction

Our vision is of a nation of world-class scientific achievement, a magnet for talent and for investment, a powerhouse of technology innovation and enterprise, increasing sustainable economic growth.

01. Science is vital for Scotland's future. It is a keystone in delivering the Government's Purpose of creating a more successful Scotland with opportunities for all to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth. We want to make Scotland smarter, safer and stronger, wealthier and fairer, greener and healthier. These objectives focus government and public services nationally and locally - and challenge the private and third sectors.

02. Science ¹ will underpin:

• Our contribution to global issues which are relevant to us all, such as climate change and sustainable energy;
• Improvements in public services and quality of life, including health and the environment;
• Growth opportunities for existing businesses using science to solve their problems, develop new products, exceed their customers needs and increase competitiveness;
• New businesses and inward investment;
• New jobs and careers - particularly for the highly skilled and qualified;
• Growth in the contribution our universities will increasingly make to Scotland and the world, and their reputation.

03. To make our vision a reality, we need to build on our scientific strengths, exploit major opportunities and address a range of key challenges which have been identified and prioritised through extensive consultation. The key challenges for science in Scotland are:

• Maintaining our global pre-eminence in science teaching and research and continuing to attract science-related inward investment;
• Encouraging more young people to study science subjects and build careers in science, technology and engineering in Scotland; developing a science workforce which is aligned and responsive to the future needs of the science base and the economy as a whole;
• Increasing business research and product development capacity, and business demand for and utilisation of the science base in ways which support economic growth, including deriving more from intellectual property and growing companies of scale;
• Ensuring that the science base responds effectively to business demand, producing research and knowledge that is of economic value and supports sustainable economic growth;
• Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the challenges of climate change and sustainable energy to build on our excellent research base to develop new industries, technologies and products;
• Improving the international marketing of Scotland's science and seeking broader and deeper international collaborations with existing and new partners.

04. Meeting those challenges requires time and a shared commitment. Government has a key role to play, creating a fertile academic and business environment, recognising and rewarding success and investing in people and infrastructure. Government also promotes enhanced public engagement with and understanding of science by funding science centres and stimulating and co-ordinating the wider network of science engagement providers. Much of the remainder of this framework describes what Government will do to support and use science in Scotland to achieve increased sustainable economic growth. However success depends on all of the individuals and organisations that make up the science base in Scotland - in the public, private and voluntary sectors. This includes our leading science-based companies and small and medium-sized businesses, the financial investment sector, our universities, colleges and our local authorities and schools, the NHS and research institutes and charities.

05. In common with Skills for Scotland and the proposed Innovation Framework, we need to work together to:

• Nurture a culture in which creative, enterprising people are empowered and rewarded within organisations and which attracts creative people to Scotland;
• Develop systems that support and facilitate interchange of existing ideas, concepts and intellectual property between and within organisations and people;
• Grow and support networks which facilitate co-creation of economically valuable knowledge and ideas through creative interaction within and between organisations and people.

06. As such, this strategic framework is focused on: Developing individuals; Scientific Research; Economic and Business Demand; International; Connections in Scotland and in Government.

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