News & Events
- JIIC Celebrates Success in Innovation
- 21/10/2008
A new report from the West Midlands Technology Network (WMTN) has revealed how local businesses are being transformed through partnerships with universities.
In five years the hands-on, practical approach of the WMTN has ensured that 2,461 jobs were created and safeguarded; £85.6m of new and protected sales were secured; with 1,131 innovation projects having been delivered across the region.
The WMTN work in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University, Birmingham City University, Staffordshire University, Walsall College and Coventry City Council to give small local businesses access to technology and expertise; this helps them to develop their products and services whilst encouraging innovation across all aspects of business. With funding from the European Regional Development Fund these services have been offered free of charge to local businesses.
The WMTN was established to help make these services readily available to businesses which would have previously been unable to take advantage of the innovation expertise contained within the region's institutions.
Dr. Tony Robotham, West Midlands Technology Network Champion, said: 'The WMTN has demonstrated how important the collaboration between businesses and universities is for the future of the region. Most crucially, it has enabled more firms to be true innovators, capable of creating new products, open up new business opportunities and generate economic benefits for the West Midlands as a whole'.
The region's achievements were highlighted in a celebratory event on 8th October hosted by Lord Stafford. The event included an interactive exhibition of the best WMTN assisted innovations and partner offerings. Exhibits included computer technology that translates brainwaves to on-screen commands, a medical innovation that has revolutionised intravenous home care and internationally acclaimed unique computer aided design jewellery pieces.
Birmingham City University's Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) exhibited their assist with jewellery designer Fei Liu. With computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) support from the JIIC, Fei Liu's designs have won awards from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Craftsmanship Award and the Kayman Award. Fei Liu's work is now selling internationally.
Lord Stafford said: 'What really matters, if we are to compete in a global market, is the need for a knowledge based economy. There is no better way to achieve this than through universities working with businesses; what the West Midlands Technology Network has achieved is outstanding'.
Picture: Lord Stafford