Over 40 East Midlands’ businesses were introduced to the pioneering development work undertaken by the region’s universities when they attended an innovative exhibition last month.
The Manufacturing and Product Design Technology Showcase featured 25 examples of the cutting edge work undertaken by the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Derby from the latest in video game technologies and high speed digital video cameras through to a social networking website for breweries.
Staged as part of this year’s Innovation Festival (iFestival), the showcase featured a wide variety of products, applications and computer software developed by academics and now ready for commercial implementation.
The event was organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the Ingenuity Programme to highlight the work being undertaken in universities and to connect them with East Midlands’ companies that could exploit the emerging technologies in the commercial world.
“Some of the products on show at the event were brand new, others have been around for a while,” said Steve Upcraft of the Ingenuity Programme. “The Ingenuity Programme exists to promote the excellent work being undertaken within the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Derby in developing new technologies, processes, equipment and software and to introduce these innovations to East Midlands’ companies which may be able to benefit from using them. This event, staged as part of the iFestival, did just that and we were delighted that over 40 businesses gave up their time to come here. I think all of them will have left with a different view of the role universities can play in the private sector.”
Amongst the University of Nottingham’s showcase was a web-based network for small to medium-sized breweries, providing e-learning and best practice advice; the Environmental Technology Centre which offers access to ground-breaking and internationally acclaimed research and large scale equipment often out of reach for most companies; and industrial microwave processing technologies which reduce energy usage in mineral processing, food processing and heating. Nottingham Trent University showcased a range of materials and processes for light emission, displays and plastic electronics as well as detailing the opportunities for businesses to work with its Marketing, Retail and Operations experts.
The University of Derby had five exhibits on display: a new thermographic camera, a range of cutting edge microscopes; a high speed digital video camera; its computer games development services; and a website that allows festival organisers to design and cost their event.
Martin Rigley, Managing Director of fabrication specialists Lindhurst Engineering, in Sutton in Ashfield, was one of the attendees: “I was extremely impressed with the range and quality of the developments on show. It certainly opened my eyes to the work being done in academic institutions and there were one or two applications today which could benefit our business.”
The Manufacturing and Product Design Technology Showcase was one of over 150 events to be staged during this year’s iFestival.
Co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council), but involving a myriad of partners, the iFestival promotes and celebrates the importance of innovation in both the public and private sectors.
Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge-focused East Midlands’ economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.
For further information about the iFestival and East Midlands Innovation please visit www.eminnovation.org.uk
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of the iFestival by Lava. For further information contact Matt or Louise at Lava on 01522 842 800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk <mailto:matt@lavapr.co.uk> / louise@lavapr.co.uk <mailto:louise@lavapr.co.uk>
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Photo Caption:
Steve Upcraft Project Manager Ingenuity Programme – Nottingham University, John Proud Event Organiser UK Trade & Investment, Christine Jones Derby University, Denise Moore Nottingham Trent University
Notes to editors
About the iFestival
· The iFestival is region-wide and takes place between 6th March and 17th April 2009. Building on the success of 2008, the iFestival will encompass an inspiring, inclusive programme of events, designed to help foster a culture of innovation in the region with activity targeted at young people, businesses, communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment. Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands’ economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.
· Improved productivity in an increasingly competitive global market means that businesses and organisations in the East Midlands must put innovation at the heart of their core activities, if they are to flourish and stay ahead of the game. The iFestival is being co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation – The Regional Science and Industry Council. For further information including the latest programme of events and innovation updates please visit: www.eminnovation.org.uk
About East Midlands Innovation
· East Midlands Innovation is the Regional Science and Industry Council that was established in 2005 by emda.
· East Midlands Innovation’s principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.
About emda
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
Ten years on, independent evaluation shows emda has:
Had a significant impact on the region’s economy
Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.
emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.
Over the long term, emda’s aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for ‘a flourishing region’ can be achieved.
For more details visit www.emda.org.uk <http://www.emda.org.uk/>
About UK Trade & Investment
· UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services.
For more information visit the website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ <http://www.emids.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/>
