Minister for Universities and Science Rt Hon David Willetts MP visits University

Published: 10 February 2011

The Minister of State for Universities and Science, Rt Hon David Willetts MP has met with Principal Anton Muscatelli on a scheduled visit to the University.


The Minister of State for Universities and Science, Rt Hon David Willetts MP has met with Principal Anton Muscatelli on a scheduled visit to the University.

At a reception in the Principal’s Lodgings last night (9 February), the minister heard a presentation from Research and Enterprise and was introduced to Vice Principals from all four University of Glasgow Colleges.

Professor Steve Beaumont, Vice Principal, Research and Enterprise and Dr Kevin Cullen, Director of Research and Enterprise gave a presentation to the Minister on Easy Access IP. 

In a first for the UK, the University of Glasgow is offering Intellectual Property (IP) – including ground-breaking medical and scientific research - to business and entrepreneurs free of charge. Speeding up and simplifying IP transfer, the move will revolutionise the relationship between academic research and commercial enterprise and make Glasgow the most libertarian University in the UK for IP access.

Vice Principals Professor Andrea Nolan; Professor Anna Dominiczak, Head of College of Medicine, Veterinary and Life Sciences; Professor Murray Pittock, Head of College of Arts; Professor Anne Anderson, Head of College of Social Sciences; Professor John Chapman, Head of College of Science and Engineering; Professor Neal Juster, Vice Principal, Strategy and Resource and Professor Frank Coton, Vice Principal, Learning and Teaching were among the invited guests to the reception with the Minster at the Prinicpal’s Lodgings. 

Mr Willetts has worked at HM Treasury, the Number 10 Policy Unit, the Centre for Policy Studies and served as Paymaster General in the last Conservative Government. He has also previously served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions. He is a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation and a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. He has written widely on economic and social policy, including his book on Modern Conservatism.

Easy Access IP is available on the following webpage: www.glasgow.ac.uk/technology

Further information:
Martin Shannon,
Senior Media Relations Officer,
University of Glasgow
Tel: 0141 330 8593


First published: 10 February 2011