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The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was a UK government department created on 28 June 2007 to take over some of the functions of the disbanded departments of Education and Skills and Trade and Industry, and merged in June 2009 in to the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. It is responsible for adult learning, some parts of further education, higher education, skills, science and innovation.
DIUS also had responsibility for a number of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs). These include the Research Councils:
- Medical Research Council (Medical Research Council)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
- The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Other NDPBs are:
In addition DIUS is the sponsor department for - the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts ()
Only some of DIUS's functions are UK-wide: it oversees the science budget, provided through the Research Councils, for the UK as a whole. On the other hand, education is a devolved matter and there are corresponding departments in the Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government.
The only Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills was the Rt Hon John Denham MP.
The first Permanent Secretary, Ian Watmore, moved to a new appointment, leading to the appointment of Sir Jon Shortridge.
The Department's role was to:
- Accelerate the commercial exploitation of creativity and knowledge, through innovation and research, to create wealth, grow the economy, build successful businesses and improve quality of life.
- Improve the skills of the population throughout their working lives to create a workforce capable of sustaining economic competitiveness, and enable individuals to thrive in the global economy.
- Build social and community cohesion through improved social justice, civic participation and economic opportunity by raising aspirations and broadening participation, progression and achievement in learning and skills.
- ursue global excellence in research and knowledge, promote the benefits of science in society, and deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in line with employer demand.
- Strengthen the capacity, quality and reputation of the Further and Higher Education systems and institutions to support national economic and social needs.
- Encourage better use of science in Government, foster public service innovation, and support other Government objectives which depend on DIUS’ expertise and remit.
A number of education functions of the former DfES (largely those focussed on the 14 - 19 age group) were taken over by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
References
- Number10: Changes to the machinery of Government
- Research councils UK
- House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee - First Report Cross-border provision of public services for Wales: further and higher education
External links
- Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills: official website