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Parliament’s Select Committee for Business, Innovation and Skills holds session at WMG

Parliament’s Select Committee for Business, Innovation and Skills came to WMG’s International Manufacturing Centre on Tuesday 1 July to hold an evidence session for its inquiry into Business-University collaboration.

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During the formal sessions in WMG the Committee heard evidence from:

· Professor Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick,

· Dr Richard Hutchins, Board Member, Coventry and Warwickshire LEP

· John Latham, Vice Chancellor of Coventry University

· Professor Kevin Warwick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research of Coventry University.

· Dr Carl Perrin, Director, Advance Manufacturing and Engineering Institute, Coventry University

· Will Searle, Managing Director, Axillium

· Tony Harper Head of Research and Advanced Systems Engineering for Jaguar and Land Rover

 

The MPs in attendance were:

· Adrian Bailey MP (Chair)

· William Bain MP

· Paul Blomfield MP

· Mike Crockart MP

· Ann McKechin MP

· Robin Walker MP

 

The Select Committee had the opportunity to hear about how WMG develops partnerships with industry and the significant economic benefits of such partnerships. They were particularly interested to understand the breadth of research undertaken by WMG which leads to the development of innovative products, processes and services. Whilst at WMG they had a tour of the new Energy Innovation Centre, and the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation. The committee also visited a number of other research facilities in the locality.

Adrian Bailey MP, Chair of the BIS Select Committee speaking from WMG said:

"As part of our Inquiry into Business-University collaboration I was particularly pleased to bring my Select Committee colleagues to WMG to see first-hand how much partnership with industry can achieve.

Before taking formal evidence we had the opportunity to follow WMG's journey from an idea in founder Lord Bhattacharyya's head to the dynamic, innovative, international centre it is today - and all in my own region of the West Midlands.

"Representing a Black Country constituency, I am well aware of the pressure on small manufacturing enterprises. To have access to world class research; support to develop products and high level education and skills training on our doorstep is a bonus and we must make sure we get the most from it.

"What I have seen and heard today gives me great hope for the future of manufacturing, engineering and technology and that is a very exciting thing to be able to say."

Notes to Editors

Further images available here

 

For further for information for media please contact:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy, University of Warwick,

UK Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Or

Lisa Barwick, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

 

PR200 PJD 2nd July 2014

 

 

 

 

Further Information:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy, University of Warwick,

UK Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Or

Lisa Barwick, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

Useful Links:

University of Warwick

WMG

Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift

Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya

Dr Richard Hutchins