Tuesday 2 April 2013

A BIG impact on the bioeconomy

At the heart of the bioeconomy is a desire to make the world a better and more equitable place to live. From biotechnological advances in health, agriculture and environment, we have the opportunity to cure currently incurable diseases, grow new crops that feed more people, and find cleaner and more efficient energy sources.

There is rapid growth in the European and global bioeconomy. In Europe, the bioeconomy makes €2 trillion a year and employs more than 22 million people, yet as it grows the shortage of people skilled to work in it also increases. Living up to the future promises of the bioeconomy requires a workforce skilled in innovation and governance of scientific, technological and social change.

With unemployment in the Eurozone currently reaching over 20% of those under the age of 25, Europe now has a unique opportunity to overcome the evident mix-match of skills and provide training options and job opportunities that meet labour demands in areas such as agriculture, energy production, health, manufacturing, environmental clean-up, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, while at the same time ensuring its economic competitiveness on the global stage and a better quality of life for its citizens.

Innogen has expertise in understanding the social and economic implications of life science innovation and, through its Masters in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance (MSc BIG), is working to provide a new generation of bioeconomy workers with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in this rapidly evolving sector.

Offered at the University of Edinburgh, the MSc BIG provides students with a dynamic set of competencies and knowledge about life science innovation – as highly desired by prospective employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Graduates excel in strategic thinking that brings globally contextualised solutions to practical problems relating to firm strategy, policy and regulation, collaboration and intellectual property. A work-based dissertation ensures that students gain experience directly relevant to careers in the bioeconomy.

Download the MSc BIG programme flyer.

No comments: