Departmental news
WMG welcomes India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
The UK and India signed the landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday 24 July, to foster greater research and scientific collaboration between the two nations. Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, and Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, share their thoughts on the deal.
Nurturing international relationships: CII visits WMG
WMG at University of Warwick was proud to welcome the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) last month.
Comprising over 20 representatives from some of India’s leading companies and education institutions, the Confederation was welcomed by Dean of WMG, Professor Robin Clark, before being introduced to Warwick by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Stuart Croft. Talks and presentations by some of WMG’s leading academics followed, showcasing the depth and breadth of WMG’s diverse activities, plus its research and key strengths.
Championing future engineering talent
The Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme has been inspiring young people to learn about engineering and the rewarding careers it offers since 2020. Five years on, schools and colleges from the West Midlands have come together to celebrate its impact.
Led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in close partnership with WMG, University of Warwick, the Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme provides a comprehensive package of engineering-focused science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) support. This includes grants to schools and colleges; teacher networking and CPD opportunities; funded industrial secondments; and individual FE and HE student scholarships.
Creating a community for women in trade
Representatives from the world of trade gathered for the inaugural launch of a new organisation which aims to support women in trade and address the export gap.
The Women in Trade Hub UK (WiTH UK), created by WMG, University of Warwick with the support of the Chartered Institute of Export & International TradeLink opens in a new window, aims to create a community, bringing together existing resources while being responsive to the needs of female entrepreneurs.
Barriers to break
Noting that women face “systemic barriers” in business and trade, Dr Rebecca Wilde, Head of Business Innovation, Supply Chain and Trade at WMG, University of Warwick, said that WiTH UK will serve as a community that can “empower women, and empower men who support women, in trade management and operational roles.”
Highlighting the many “great organisations out there globally that support women in trade,” Dr Wilde said there’s a lot of work to be done to boost the proportion of women-led trading SMEs and women in senior positions at larger trading organisations.
WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre welcomes Executive Chair of Innovate UK
Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) Centre at WMG, University of Warwick, was delighted to welcome Tom Adeyoola – Executive Chair of Innovate UK – on Tuesday 1 July, as part of his tour of the UK’s Catapult Network.
US-UK trade deal expert comment
Professor David GreenwoodLink opens in a new window, CEO WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director for Industrial Engagement, comments on the US-UK trade deal and the impact on the automotive industry.
“This reduction in tariffs will be welcome news to our partners in the automotive industry and their extensive supply chains. As home to JLRLink opens in a new window and Aston MartinLink opens in a new window (amongst others) - two of the biggest and most profitable UK exporters of premium vehicles to the US – the West Midlands is particularly sensitive to any tariffs on the automotive sector.
“This reduced tariff means that manufacturers in the region can have greater confidence in continuing production here in the UK. It will also be a relief to the extensive supply chains that exist here, particularly for our SME community, which will benefit from much greater certainty and stability. Whereas the previous 27.5% tariffs would likely have led to structural changes in the industry, a 10% rate can be more feasibly absorbed by a combination of cost reduction, margin reduction and price increase.
“The 100,000 car export quota approximately matches current levels of vehicle exports to the US; historically export numbers have been much higher, so we would hope for opportunity for that figure to increase over time as the deal shows benefits for both sides.”
UK-India trade deal – expert comment
Commenting on the UK-India trade deal, Professor Robin ClarkLink opens in a new window, Dean of WMG, said:
“The UK trade deal with India is very good news for UK manufacturing. The significantly reduced tariffs for advanced manufacturing, automotive and clean energy are particularly welcome, giving UK companies the opportunity to support India's sustainable economic growth, while creating jobs and investment at home.
“WMG, at the University of Warwick, has deep expertise in supporting innovation in the UK and India, with long-standing partnerships with CIILink opens in a new window and major investors such as TataLink opens in a new window and TVS across sectors including automotive, energy and steel, alongside innovation and education collaborations with leading Indian Business and education institutions, delivering positive impact for our regional and national economy. While further details will be announced, we look forward to building on our experience to help firms identify the growth opportunities that will develop as the UK and India work more closely together.”
Real world transport trials to help parcel deliveries go green
WMG was pleased to welcome Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, and representatives from the Department of Transport and the logistics industry, on to campus to hear more about its Last Mile Logistics Project.
The Last Mile Logistics Project is a partnership between WMG and Transport for West MidlandsLink opens in a new window (TfWM), and is funded by the West Midlands Innovation AcceleratorLink opens in a new window.
As part of the project, the University of Warwick campus is being used as a testbed for a small fleet of low-speed electric delivery vehicles to demonstrate how they can help the UK reach Net Zero, while cutting congestion and improving air quality.
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
Two WMG researchers, Mert GülçürLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window and Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowDerya Kaya Özdemir have received MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships from Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. MSCALink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window are the EU’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training, supporting career development, whilst fostering excellence in research.
US-UK academic agreement sets foundation for exchange of pioneering battery capabilities
WMG, at The University of Warwick (UK), and Binghamton University (USA) have entered an agreement to explore collaboration in the fields of science, technology and education with the aim of fueling vital battery manufacturing capability in both countries. The new five-year memorandum of understanding sets the foundation to encourage the sharing of academic, scientific and cultural experiences between the two institutions, both pioneers in the battery field.
Battery research and educational materials for training will be a key element of the collaboration, which will explore access to shared facilities and equipment to maximize the capabilities of both institutions.