Science Park conference aims to stimulate jobs and innovation
STIMULATING manufacturing jobs and innovation in industrial heartlands in Europe and Scandinavia is the subject of a conference being hosted by Birmingham Science Park.
A delegation of 50 senior representatives from across Europe will today share their experiences of city economies with a historic reliance on manufacturing, which are now working to support job creation in the Knowledge Economy and innovation-led sectors.
The European-funded INTERREG IVC District+ project brings together partners from science parks, universities and public authorities in the West Midlands, Tuscany, Vastra Gotalands in Sweden, Saxony Anhalt in Germany, Brasov in Romania and Lower Silesia in Poland.
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council said: “Birmingham is a city that has always embraced change and eagerly faces modern day challenges. As the new leader of Birmingham City Council, I am fully supportive of the benefits and networking opportunities that arise from European-funded projects.
“Birmingham is ambitious and the city is keen to establish itself as dynamic and innovative. I hope the delegates will relish the opportunity to share good practice and invaluable lessons from our own initiatives, and also from the ideas of fellow delegates.”
Within the West Midlands, the District+ project supports a variety of activities, with partners including Birmingham City Council and the universities of Birmingham, Coventry, Staffordshire and Warwick. Amongst the delegation from this region is Professor David Bailey, International Business Strategy and Economics at Coventry University Business School.
Birmingham Science Park’s European projects team is the appointed regional co-ordinator for all District+ activity.
The conference will focus on updates on the six sub-projects that form part of the District+ programme. They consist of Science Parks Without Walls; Next Generation Science Parks; Improved Definition and Profiling for Sustainable Technology Parks; Networks for the Internationalisation of Cluster Excellence in Regions; Enhancing Knowledge Collaboration in Eco-Innovation; and Supporting Innovation and Fostering Knowledge Transfer in the New EU Member States.
David Hardman, CEO of Birmingham Science Park said: “It is important that we engage with likeminded partners across Europe to develop the Science Park community. By transcending borders, we can enhance competitiveness for our local companies and support economic growth. Hosting events such as this that attract such senior city representatives has many benefits for Birmingham and the wider region.”
