University News Last updated 09 May
A £30 million investment to commercialise research across England has been hailed by Birmingham City University (BCU) Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba as a “huge vote of confidence in the ability of higher education to fuel growth and innovation.”
Highlighting the vital role universities play in inspiring and equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs, Professor Mba said the funding would further boost BCU’s strong track record in student start-ups and graduate enterprise.
“The announcement by Science Minister Lord Vallance is extremely welcome and underlines the importance of universities to the UK’s economic future,” said Professor Mba.
“BCU has consistently demonstrated its ability to drive innovation across the West Midlands, and this investment from Research England will further strengthen that work.
“It is a huge vote of confidence in the power of higher education to drive growth and innovation.”
The £30m investment from Research England will support four ambitious regional projects.
These will deliver a significant shift in knowledge exchange by fostering deeper collaboration between universities, industry, and other stakeholders.
BCU is partnered with 14 other Midlands universities in the Forging Ahead / Forging Beyond project, led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation.
Backed by £9.9 million from Research England, with an additional £6.1m in matched funding from partner universities and stakeholders, it will focus on boosting investment readiness, driving inclusive economic growth, and accelerating breakthroughs in key sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Creative and Digital, Health and Med Tech, and Net Zero.
Professor Mba also praised STEAMhouse - BCU’s £70 million innovation hub - as a flagship example of successful collaboration between universities, research, and local industry.
“We have a proven record of helping students and graduates turn ideas into successful ventures, as reflected in the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency data,” he said.
“We also understand the power of collaboration - not only with our university peers, but with local industries and businesses.
“Nothing represents that better than STEAMhouse, where academia and enterprise converge. It was a pleasure to show Lord Vallance around this transformative space.”
Lord Vallance was given a tour of STEAMhouse prior to making his award announcement on Friday, meeting BCU staff and local businesses based at the former Victorian bicycle factory.
Among his stops was the Production Space, which allows individuals and businesses to access affordable workshops to build their ideas under the guidance of specialist technicians.
Lord Vallance, pictured shaking hands with Professor Mba, commented: “The Midlands has been a bustling hub of innovation ever since the Industrial Revolution, and still is now, boasting diverse strengths from the creative industries, to health, and clean energy.
“The support and guidance we are announcing today will help draw out the game-changing ideas of this thriving region’s many researchers and scientists, and transform them into the next generation of businesses that will draw in investment, create jobs and deliver growth, all supporting our Plan for Change.”