West Midland universities to play key role in first TIC
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A CONSORTIUM of research centres – including two West Midland universities – is to form part of the Government’s first Technology and Innovation Centre.
Warwick Manufacturing Group at Warwick University and Coventry University’s Manufacturing Technology Centre will perform key roles in the new TIC, which is focused on High Value Manufacturing.
The TIC funding, worth up to £30m a year, will allow WMG and the MTC to develop their own research projects as part of the collaborative network.
The Government’s aim in setting up the TIC is over the next decade, to generate an additional £2bn of manufacturing R&D and create 3,000 new skilled engineering jobs.
The TIC will focus on areas including high performance batteries for electric vehicles, off-shore wind turbines, new nuclear power plant and new fuel-efficient aircraft.
Coventry said a significant portion of the Government funding would be invested in substantial new facilities at the already world class MTC in order to expand current operations in response to industry demands.
The £40m MTC was a joint scheme between regional development agencies Advantage West Midlands and the East Midlands Development Agencies and both have held it to be one of their most outstanding achievements and a fitting legacy to their work once they close down next year.
Clive Hickman, chief executive of the MTC, said: “I am delighted to have been in the bid to become part of the HVM TIC and look forward to further developing positive relationships with other members of the consortium.”
WMG director Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya said he was also pleased to been part of the successful bidders.
“We now look forward to working with the Technology Strategy Board and the wide range of companies, universities and other organisations who supported our bid in making a reality of the centre.”
In announcing the TIC, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The investment in the new centre will further bridge the gap between universities and businesses, helping to commercialise the outputs of Britain’s world class research base.”
Other members of the consortium are: the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, both in Rotherham, the Advanced Forming Research Centre, University of Strathclyde, the National Composite Centre, University of Bristol and the Centre for Process Innovation, Wilton and Sedgefield.
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