The University of Warwick was today pleased to welcome the Prime Minister, Theresa May MP, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond MP, to the University to visit WMG, a world leading research centre focused on providing innovative solutions to industry, and to learn of the University and WMG’s plans and activities for research and innovation.

During their visit the Prime Minister and Chancellor met with the University of Warwick’s Provost, Christine Ennew, and the Chairman of WMG, Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, to discuss Warwick’s and WMG’s role in science, innovation and skills development and toured WMG’s International Manufacturing Centre (IMC).

As part of their IMC tour the Prime Minister and Chancellor were shown one of the world’s most adaptable and advanced driving simulators, the 3xD Simulator. The 3xD Simulator is the only of its kind designed specifically to test real-world robustness and usability of smart, connected and autonomous vehicle technology and it will be the centre piece of the Virtual Reality Centre in the National Automotive Innovation Centre.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor were also informed of the Warwick Sub, a student project to manufacture a human powered submarine, along with WMG’s Automotive Composites Research Centre and of the battery research conducted by the Energy Innovation Centre, both of which are part of the WMG centre HVM Catapult.

The University of Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, said:

“We were pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and Chancellor to the University of Warwick so soon after commencing their new roles. They saw and heard about Warwick’s role as a leader in supporting the regional and national economy through technological innovation, high-tech engineering and skills development.”

Chairman of WMG, Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, said:

“I was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister and Chancellor to WMG to show our world leading innovative research and development with companies and organisations which has a real impact on society and the economy. It was also an opportunity to highlight some of our student projects”.