THE Scottish Government has urged universities to offer their cutting-edge research to businesses and entrepreneurs free of charge as part of efforts to boost the economy.

Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said the move would ensure all Scots were able to benefit from research developments at institutions funded by the taxpayer.

His comments come just months after a pioneering move by Glasgow University to offer intellectual property – including ground-breaking medical and scientific research – to business and entrepreneurs free of charge.

In a recent letter to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which administers government funding of universities, Mr Russell said all institutions should consider doing the same.

“Any barriers to the exploitation of research for economic and wider societal benefit must be removed, so that the people of Scotland can benefit directly from the Government’s sustained and generous support for research in our institutions,” he said.

“There has been some progress in recent years ... but I believe more can be done.

“Specifically, I believe there is merit in the model ... established by Glasgow University being adopted by all institutions ... so that as much intellectual property as possible generated by the sector is readily available to business and industry, particularly to Scottish small and medium-sized businesses.”

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal of Glasgow University, said he hoped the “easy access” intellectual property scheme could be expanded further.

“Working in collaboration with King’s College London and the University of Bristol we have secured funding to develop the model further and to encourage other institutions to adopt it.

“We also hope to create a consortium of easy access institutions that will help us to work towards the model being recognised as an industry standard.

“One of the core missions of the university is the creation, advancement and sharing of knowledge and we aim to transfer as much intellectual property into use as we can.”

One company that has already benefited from the scheme is Hertfordshire-based Elliot Scientific, which produces scientific equipment for research and industrial use.

The firm took advantage of advances in the measurement of microscopic particles made by physicists at Glasgow University.

Mike Elliot, chairman of Elliot Scientific, said: “The technology was handed over within two days and this enabled us to increase our offering.”

Dr Neil Bowering, knowledge transfer account project manager for Glasgow University’s department of research and enterprise, said: “Most universities have intellectual property which is of some value, but has not been able to be monetised by spin-out companies, which means it has no practical use.

“There can often also be disputes with companies about the value of particular bits of research which can lead to drawn out negotiations.

“Universities are not driven solely be monetary aims and if sharing this information will provide a greater impact to society from research then that would be welcome.”