Hub to advance UK engineering
A collaboration between the University of Southampton, UK, and the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI) is set to provide new opportunities for businesses and advance UK engineering.
The ‘impactech’ Hub will provide NMI member companies with access to the university’s world-leading research expertise.
The Hub is set to bring together experts and businesses from across a wide range of sectors, including autonomous systems, nanotechnology, smart sensing, communications, electronics, data and security, allowing collaboration and development of innovative solutions.
Professor Bashir Al-Hashimi, dean of physical sciences and engineering at the University of Southampton, said: “We’ve worked closely with NMI for many years and are proud to now be working together on this innovative partnership.
“We believe in the excellence of our research, our teaching and our students. We feel the new hub has great potential to extend the support and capabilities of the university towards wider industrial engagement, particularly with SMEs, where there are well-documented challenges to overcome.
“This has been enabled through EPSRC impact funding and I want to take the opportunity to recognise this key investment. We believe this new partnership model can deliver significant returns.”
A main focus of the hub will be to hold regular networking events, which will provide opportunities to hear about the latest challenges and development in key areas of university research.
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton, said: “I am delighted to see the continuing success of NMI and welcome its members to this exciting new partnership with the university. We have the highest hopes and expectations for its future success.”
Collaboration funding will be available as will access to funded research activities such as the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme and opportunities with Innovate UK, Local Area Partnerships and Horizon 2020.
