WAIPA Annual Report 2011

facility, exemplifying by saying that
when ARM “sets up or acquires a
company with 6 researchers in a
given country, the chip manufacturer
assesses whether there is a potential
to expand it so that it may reach 30
or 50 researchers”. In the words of
the University Professor and panel
moderator, José Luis Guimón, “a
clear implication for national policies
is the need to improve education and
better matching education programs
and the private sector’s needs”.
As the debate evolved, a clear line
was drawn separatig those IPAs
that now seek to improve conditions
to attract foreign talent and work
with governments to identify gaps
in educational policies, from those
that do not. IPAs in the former group
are more likely to attract R&D. In
this sense, Stewart Laing, from the
Scottish Development International,
referred to the TalentScottland
Initiative, which provides support
to highly-skilled workers willing to
immigrate into Scotland, and to foreign
companies seeking for researchers
and highly-skilled employees. Yet
another panellist, John Bell, Head
of Strategy and Partnerships at
Phillips Electronics, stressed the link
between the open innovation model
(often adopted by corporations) and
the access to world-class research
departments at universities.
At Phillips, this interaction and
research exchange is a two-way
process. Increasingly, the company’s
researchers are displaced to hospitals
and universities to enhance the
research work product. A testimonial
by the Phillips Electronics executive
has been made available on waipa.tv,
bottom left corner of the waipa website.
WAIPA World Investment
Conference 2011,
Geneva, Sep 5-6,
2011
WAIPA Report of Activities 2011-2012
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