TIGA, the trade associationrepresenting the UK games industry, has called on the Government to encourage
and incentivise the study of specific STEM subjects, such as mathematics.
TIGA made the comments following the
publication of a new report by the House of Lords Science and Technology
Committee which said that too few people are studying science, technology,
engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The Committee warned
that unless the supply of STEM graduates increased, the Government risks
failing to meet its objectives to drive economic growth through education and
hi-tech industries as identified in its Plan for Growth.
The
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee’s recommendations include:·
- Making
maths compulsory for all students post-16. - Universities
should get more involved in setting up the maths curriculum. - A distinction should be made in official immigration statistics between
university students and other immigrants with only the latter group used to
calculate net migration. This would reflect the fact that students are often
temporary residents in the UK and would allow the Government to reconcile their
conflicting policies to reduce immigration and to expand Higher Education to
promote economic growth. - A single body should be
appointed to provide real time data analysis and a commentary of where
STEM shortages exist, in order to put remedial action in place if
necessary; and to inform student on whether the courses they are
considering studying will equip them with the skills needed by employers. - The report calls
for the establishment of an expert group, including substantial employer
involvement, to formulate a strategy for STEM postgraduate education to
help underpin the Government’s plans for growth.
TIGA has long-believed
there should be support for developers involved in education, including tax
credits for training. TIGA's policy paper Education
and Skills in the Video Games Development Sector: Challenges and Solutions (2008)
called for a focus on improving standards in mathematics, and the sciences,
including computing, in schools, for the Government to provide financial
support for developers who support universities and schools with outreach
programmes and guest lectures, and tax relief for training programmes.
Commenting on the Report, Jason Kingsley OBE, TIGA
Chairman and CEO and Creative Director at Rebellion, said:
“The Committee recommends that all pupils are required to study
mathematics beyond the age of 16 but TIGA feels it would be even better to
encourage students to choose maths beyond this point if possible. The way to do
that is to show pupils the importance, excitement and value of science,
technology, engineering and maths and to consult with inspirational companies
such as videogame developers so that the teaching is focused and relevant.
“There have been great steps taken recently in boosting computer science
such as making it part of the school curriculum. The Raspberry Pi computer is
also an important and intriguing development. What is disappointing is that as
a country we are still trying to resolve our skill needs and having to make the
case for the value of the sciences and mathematics. We risk losing a generation
of potential.”
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA
CEO, said:
“The House of Lords Committee is right to draw
attention to the importance of STEM skills to the UK economy. To incentivise
the study of STEM subjects, the Government could consider a pilot scheme,
whereby it intervenes to ensure that tuition fees for students studying
disciplines such as mathematics are competitively priced in comparison to other
degrees.
“More generally, over time we should aim to
increase proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) devoted to tertiary education
in the UK. The UK spends just 1.2
per cent of GDP on tertiary education, compared to Canada’s 2.5 per cent and
the USA’s 2.7 per cent. A highly skilled workforce and a world renowned higher
education system require investment.”
Notes to editors:
About TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s
games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games
developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games
publishers, outsourcing companies, technology
businesses and universities amongst our membership. Since 2010, TIGA has won 12 business awards and has been nominated a
finalist for 9 other awards. In 2010 TIGA won two business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum.
In 2011, TIGA
won eight business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding Organisation’ from the Chartered
Management Institute and two Global Business Excellence Awards, including
‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’.
Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’ from the Trade Association
Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the Chartered Management
Institute. In 2012, Richard Wilson wonthe IoD’s East of England Director of the Year Award. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation. Also in 2012,
TIGA won a Global Business Excellence Award for its ‘Outstanding Public
Relations Campaign’ for Games Tax Relief.
TIGA's
vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games
business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation,
generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the
competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are
effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the
media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their
businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial
opportunities.
For further information, please contact
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email: richard.wilson@tiga.org.