Universities combine in drive to power innovation and skills within the Midlands Engine
SEVEN Midlands universities have joined forces in a pioneering partnership to help drive innovation and skills within the Midlands Engine.
Midlands Enterprise Universities will see Birmingham City University, Coventry University, De Montfort University Leicester, the University of Derby, the University of Lincoln, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Wolverhampton, collaborate to support jobs and wealth creation in the region.
The consortium formally launched at Birmingham City University’s Curzon building in front of an audience of key business leaders, academics and local authority members.
The partnership brings the institutions together to create a unique pool of skills, research, expertise and facilities, which will be made available to businesses and local authorities to create jobs, boost economic growth and plug skills gaps across the East and West Midlands.
Prime Minister Theresa May, in Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference, has already pledged her support for the initiative.
Midlands Enterprise Universities will use its knowledge and expertise to support businesses and sectors key to the region’s growth, including:
• Manufacturing engineering and transport technologies
• Creative and digital design
• Food and drink manufacturing
• Health and life sciences
• Energy and low carbon technologies
Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: “Despite changes at the top, our government has made it abundantly clear just how important it believes the Midlands is to driving forward economic growth in this country.
“Business, skills and innovation will be at the heart of this, so it is important that universities seize the opportunity to play their part in shaping the future of this region, its students and its workforce.
“Bringing together these seven institutions can only strengthen the links between the east and west of our region and ensure we maximise the potential that we have.”
The universities collectively contribute more than £3bn to the region’s economy and already work with many major organisations such as Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, PepsiCo, Experian, UNIPART and the BBC.
They are working closely with their supply chain companies and also deliver focused support to many local SMEs.
The consortium is also working with the Midlands Engine to develop collective plans to improve the region’s economy. These include how to develop integrated routes for developing talent in the manufacturing and engineering sector, as well as how to provide a full package of business support to smaller organisations and start-ups with growth potential.
Pictured at the launch are, from left: Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of West Midlands Combined Authority; Prof Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University; Prof John Latham, Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University; Prof Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton; Prof Mary Stuart, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lincoln, Prof Kathryn Mitchell, Vice Chancellor at the University of Derby; Carol Burke, Managing Director for Unipart; Prof Nigel Wright, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at De Montfort University; and Prof Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University.
