A University that means business
KNOWLEDGE NEWS
University unveils £250m investment generation plan The University of Wolverhampton has announced ambitious plans to generate £250million of investment over the next five years.
Left: Ian Powell, PWC receives his award from Prof Geoff Layer Top right: Miceal Barden, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Julia Speed, Enterprise Rent-a-Car Bottom right: Prof Ian Oakes with Gareth Prosser and Laurie Dalrymple, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Celebrating big business achievements The University of Wolverhampton was proud to honour the region’s most innovative businesses and entrepreneurs at its recent Business Achievement Awards. On 1 July, the University hosted a prestigious awards ceremony at the Molineux, celebrating individuals and organisations that have made a significant impact in business.
at Fabweld Steel Products Ltd; while, Ian Powell and Lisa Potts were named Alumni of the Year, recognised for the Leadership and Contribution to Society awards respectively.
A winner from each shortlist of nominees was decided by a judging panel of University representatives and businesses. However, one winner was decided on the night when the audience voted Sensory Wise as winner of This was the second time the bi-annual awards Graduate Start-up of the Year. have been hosted, nominees demonstrating business excellence in a number of areas, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, from business innovation and partnerships Professor Ian Oakes said: “The Business to graduate employment support and Achievement Awards are a celebration of contribution to society. collaboration between the University and its business partners, as well as a recognition of Among the winners on the night were Odour the successful achievements of our talented Services International Limited (Business finalists, who have all made enterprising Innovation of the Year), Wolverhampton and innovative contributions to the region’s Wanderers FC (Strategic Business Partner of businesses. the Year) and Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Graduate Employer of the Year). “Many of our graduates are employed in the region and an increasing number are now University graduate achievements were also starting their own businesses and creating jobs recognised on the night: Leirom Puno was for others… we have been able to celebrate awarded Graduate Employee of the Year many of these successes with the Business for his outstanding product design work Achievement Awards this year.”
The Our Vision, Your Opportunity programme outlines the University’s bold vision to make the most significant investment in its history, driving economic growth for the benefit of students and the wider region. The multi-million pound plan will include investment in world-class new buildings and facilities, as well as investment in teaching, research and skills training. Flagship projects already agreed include the University’s new £18m Business School, and the £65m jointlyfunded redevelopment of the city’s Springfield Brewery site to create a construction and built environment super-campus. The aim is to enhance the student experience, develop the region’s skill base and ultimately produce new jobs and economic regeneration. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer said: “We see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest and grow. We are confident and serious about the future and these are ambitious plans, but this is also a considered approach. “We will be working closely with local authorities and local enterprise partnerships to maximise the investment potential we have. We want to help raise the aspirations of the whole region.”
SUMMER 2015
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World-leading research The University of Wolverhampton has been recognised for its world-leading research, across all areas submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. The REF evaluates research quality and impact at UK universities across all disciplines. Research is graded every five years, from nationally recognised (1*) to world-leading (4*). The recent assessment produced the University’s best ever results, improving on the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise outcome and demonstrating the positive impact of research on business, industry and society.
Campus developments As the University prepares to generate its biggest ever investment over the next five years, there are already substantial campus developments underway.
Multi-million pound engineering boost
In direct response to the regional and national shortage of qualified engineering graduates, the majority of the investment will transform part of the Telford Innovation Campus with additional investment in chemical engineering facilities at City Campus.
More subject areas and research staff were put forward than ever before, reflecting the University’s more inclusive approach. Work in Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management was especially commended, ranked joint 5th in the UK with 89% of research in this area rated as worldleading or internationally excellent.
New 2015-16 courses will be offered in areas of engineering including: automotive and motorsport, chemical, and electronic and telecommunications. Food engineering and aerospace engineering will be introduced in 2016-17.
Other areas of particular strength which were highlighted include health, history and modern languages research, plus work by renowned Professor of Information Science Mike Thewall and his team.
Planned advanced engineering facilities will include a design and visualisation facility, a Formula 1 specification wind tunnel, 3D printing facilities and specialist laboratories.
Find out more: wlv.ac.uk/research
University’s graduate employability outperforms UK average
The University will invest £12m in new state-of-the-art facilities and courses to help create the next generation of skilled engineers.
The University’s Formula Renault car, developed by engineering students.
Plans to redevelop New building Springfield Brewery site named after Chancellor submitted Multi-million pound plans to transform a former brewery site to create a hub for construction education have been submitted by the University. Negotiations to buy the former Springfield Brewery site in the city centre are underway. The deal will unlock £70m investment in the site, transforming it into an advanced construction and skills-focused campus and business park.
The University of Wolverhampton is proud to announce that its graduate employability rate has reached a record high. The results of this year’s Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey showed that 95% of the University’s 2014 graduates were in work or further study six months after graduating. As well as improving on last year’s 94% employability rate, the University is outperforming the UK average for all universities. Graduates are also supporting the regional economy, with 81% going on to work in the West Midlands.
Plans for the West Midlands Construction University Technical College (UTC) include a three-storey extension to create the UTC, refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed building, and the relocation of the University’s own School of Architecture and the Built Environment to the brownfield site. The UTC, which the University is sponsoring along with the Construction Industry Training Board, will provide education for 600 14-19 year olds specialising in construction and the application of IT in the built environment. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer said: “This is a really exciting development for the city of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands as a whole. The plans will enable us to transform the Springfield site into a centre of excellence for construction, providing skills and training for future leaders of the industry.”
The University’s Formula Renault car, developed by engineering students.
The University’s overall ‘Employability Indicator’ of 95% is based on data incorporating all of the graduating class – including part-time students and students with other equivalent qualifications. Artist’s impression of the Springfield Site
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It was revealed during its official topping out ceremony in May that the £18m sixstorey building will be named after the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC. Lord Paul has been Chancellor since 1999 and is Chairman of the Caparo Group. In April 2015, the Chancellor donated £1m to the University – the largest philanthropic gift in its history – via The Ambika Paul Foundation, a charitable trust set up in memory of his daughter.
An increasing number of students are securing graduate level jobs with graduate level salaries, while more than 200 have gone on to set up their own businesses through the University’s SPEED Plus programme. The DLHE is a national audit of everyone who has recently graduated from university or higher education college in the UK, conducted on behalf of the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
The University’s new business school building is to be named the Lord Swraj Paul Building when it opens for teaching in October.
The new facility in Molineux Street, Wolverhampton will provide teaching and social learning space for the University of Wolverhampton Business School with the aim of adding to its growing reputation and engagement with the region’s business community.
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New £10m Science Park expansion plans
Business highlights Education at the heart of Telford A new partnership with Telford College of Arts and Technology has launched at Southwater One. University Centre Telford offers short courses, professional development and business support. Visit: wlv.ac.uk/uctelford
Engineering partnership wins award A University training partnership with manufacturer ZF Lemforder won the Developing People Award at the National EEF Awards, recognising engineering success.
Student volunteers’ hard work recognised The annual Employment and Volunteering Awards have recognised the achievements of students and graduates who have dedicated time to working and volunteering roles.
University strengthens links with India During a recent trip to India, a delegation led by the University’s Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor met with Government ministers and royalty to successfully strengthen education links.
University racing team drives into first place The University of Wolverhampton Racing Team took first place at Silverstone in June. The Formula Renault car, worked on by engineering students, sped to victory at the Mono2000 Championships date.
Celebrating SPEED success The University of Wolverhampton, in partnership with the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, has agreed to fund the development of a key strategic site at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park. Plans are underway for a planned expansion on the land in the form of a new £10m Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre. The Centre, due to open in early 2017, will provide a unique combination of office, laboratory and workshop areas to support businesses. The facility is funded by the University of Wolverhampton and a £4.8m grant contribution from the Black Country Growth Deal. It will provide infrastructure and a destination for science and technology-based businesses that is not currently available locally in the Black Country region. Offering approximately 4000sqm of high quality accommodation, the building will form the new frontage to the Science Park. Its design and layout has been focused upon flexibility and tenant interaction;
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collaboration between like-minded businesses is actively encouraged with a simple collaborative “street” and atrium as the main circulation areas with offices, laboratories and workshops grouped together on either side. The laboratory wing of the building offers space from 12-100sqm, with larger laboratories providing a flexible layout. A number of services will be available for science-based businesses including a facility which can be hired by the day, week or month to provide a shortterm solution for SMEs. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Oakes said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both the University of Wolverhampton and the Science Park to help with the regeneration of the local economy. The Centre will provide access to facilities otherwise unknown in the area, attracting new businesses into the region and creating new jobs.” For more information on the University of Wolverhampton Science Park and latest developments, visit: wolverhamptonsp.co.uk
Staff and beneficiaries of the graduate start-up SPEED Plus project celebrated its success to date at a black tie celebration event, held at Weston Park in June. Visit: speed-plus.org
University and Carillion join forces The University and Wolverhamptonbased Carillion PLC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to collaborate in a number of key areas over the next four years.
School students Pitch business ideas The Pitch returned in March 2015, challenging Year 10 and 11 students to come up with creative solutions to reallife business challenges at the two-day event.
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KTP@40 Thursday 10 September 2015, 5pm-7pm
Green Shoots Plus
A new £4.2m University of Wolverhampton fund will help to create hundreds of jobs and promote regional growth. The Green Shoots Plus scheme, funded by the Regional Growth Fund and a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton and the Express and Star, Shropshire Star and Hereford Times, aims to support small to medium enterprises and create nearly 400 jobs over two years.
To date, £1.2m worth of grants have been allocated to companies as part of the first phase, creating 45 jobs and safeguarding another 51. The second phase is now underway, with grants of between £10,000 and £150,000 available for certain key sector businesses to bid for
from the Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire, South Staffordshire and Stafford local authority areas. To find out more and to express an interest in the scheme, visit: wolverhamptonbsc.com/greenshoots
Bringing business know-how to Hereford Located at the 100-acre Skylon Park, which was awarded Enterprise Zone status in 2011, the new Business Solutions Centre is scheduled to open in Autumn 2015.
The Centre will also deliver knowledge transfer partnerships, continuous professional development programmes, a business start-up programme, new business network, and hot-desking facilities for businesses. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Ian Oakes, said: “We very much see our role as one of economic regeneration and development and our ambition for the Centre is to help businesses achieve growth whether that is in workforce, skills or capital investment.” The new venture is based on the award-winning Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, located at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.
2015 marks the 40th anniversary of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) in the UK. The University of Wolverhampton is celebrating this milestone with a special event in the reception area of the new Rosalind Franklin Building. Along with refreshments, guests will be able to view the KTP and KEEN academic poster competition entries before the winners are announced during the evening. Graduates, businesses and academics involved in KTP and KEEN are welcome to join, along with anyone interested in finding out more. To book your place and for more details, go to: https://uowktpat40.eventbrite.co.uk
Got a great idea for a new business?
The University of Wolverhampton will launch its award-winning business support service at the heart of Hereford’s Enterprise Zone.
The Centre will provide activities, services and consultancy to businesses in the Marches area, including delivering the recently won £4.3m Green Shoots grant funding (supported by the Regional Growth Fund) to growing businesses.
Rosalind Franklin Building, City Campus
New business start-up mentoring programme
Telford hosts Chamber of Commerce expo The University recently brought businesses together at Shropshire Chamber of Commerce’s popular networking expo. The daytime Business Expo, one of the Chamber’s most popular events, was hosted in June at the University’s Telford Innovation Campus. Hundreds of business owners and exhibitors attended the event, offering businesses the chance to promote and raise their profile within the community. Seminars and a networking lunch provided further opportunity for businesses to engage and exchange details. Are you looking for a venue for your next business conference or exhibition? Our newly refurbished Conference Centre at Telford Campus provides eight meeting room options and a catering service. Visit: wlv.ac.uk/conferencing
KNOWLEDGE
For more information
NEWS
Email: enquiries@wolverhamptonbsc.com
Tel: 01902 321 272 Visit: wlv.ac.uk/knowledge
30 September 2015 21 October 2015 (four consecutive Wednesday workshops) 5.30pm-9.30pm Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, University of Wolverhampton Science Park Do you have a great idea for a business but you’re not sure what to do next? The New Business Start-up Mentoring Programme could be exactly what you need. This six-month programme comprises a series of workshops in September/October, followed by five onehour long individual mentoring sessions over six months (October 2015 to April 2016). The workshops cover vital skills for setting up your business, giving you the confidence to succeed in the future, while the mentoring sessions provide dedicated guidance at a time agreed with your mentor. All workshops and mentoring sessions are compulsory for successful applicants. To find out more, visit: wolverhamptonbsc.com/events
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