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Chancellor’s STEM investment ‘must be used wisely’

£90 million invested to provide 1,000 new PhD places, including in science, technology, engineering and maths.

As part of the Spring Budget 2017, chancellor Philip Hammond announced an investment of £90 million in providing 1,000 new PhD places, including in science, technology, engineering and maths.

While the investment in STEM is welcome, Martyn Gates, course leader: broadcast technology at Ravensbourne, told TVBEurope that the money must be invested wisely to encourage the next generation of broadcast engineers.

“A £90 million investment into Higher Education has the potential to benefit the broadcast industry in a time when we are seeing a widening skills gap in engineering across all UK sectors, and particularly in broadcasting,” said Gates.

“So whilst extra funding is always welcomed, the investment must be used wisely. A curiosity in STEM must be engendered in children, so that universities can have more entrants with meaningful attributes.

“Furthermore, investment must be made in addressing the gender diversity in engineering recruitment.”

A further £210 million will be spent on creating new fellowships, including programmes to attract top global talent to conduct research in areas such as bioscience and biotechnology, quantum technologies, and satellite and space technology.