摘要：It is talent more than technology that society or business needs from universities.Research and the people trained in it inspire many of the ideas, aspirations and actions that contribute to the vitality of societyand its capacity for bold creativity in responding to whatever the future might bring.The prime function of leading-edge research is to develop new understanding and the creative people who will carry it intosociety. Most European researchers are trained in universities, and have their attitudes and perceptions formed in them.Universities’ productivity in fundamental research, the seed corn for the whole research base, has been prodigious, assisted bytheir access to the best talents of the rising generation and the creative influence of the irreverent young.It is crucial that some of the best intellects in each generation continue to be attracted to research careers and are given everyopportunity to grow in confidence, capacity, ambition and creativity.
