University News Last updated 14 April
Birmingham City University (BCU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), establishing a new international partnership focused on collaboration in research, enterprise and STEAM education.
The agreement creates opportunities for students and staff at both institutions to engage in global, real-world challenges, while strengthening interdisciplinary learning across areas including engineering, computing, the arts, health and business.
Professor Hanifa Shah OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at BCU, said: “This partnership marks an important step forward for BCU.
“It formalises a shared commitment to collaboration across research, enterprise and STEAM education, creating valuable international opportunities for our students and staff.
“As the challenges facing society grow more complex, it is vital that we equip our students with the creativity, interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving skills needed to shape the future. This collaboration will play a key role in achieving that ambition.”
Dr David Gillette, Director of the Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies Program at Cal Poly, said: “By working together, our institutions will continue to develop interesting and useful ways to incorporate STEAM throughout our respective curriculums, which in turn helps students better understand and make lasting contributions to their communities close at hand while also constructively engaging with people and places far beyond the horizon.”
JB Souppez, Professor in Mechanical Engineering and STEAM Education at BCU, added: “This is an exciting partnership that brings together expertise from both institutions to deliver a truly international and interdisciplinary approach to STEAM education.”
The partnership was launched alongside a joint STEAM sprint challenge, which brought together students from foundation to PhD level to work collaboratively on live industry briefs.
Over four days, students from foundation to PhD level worked in global teams on live industry briefs spanning aerospace to zoology.
BCU participants came from disciplines including engineering, computing, business, the arts, media, education, jewellery and midwifery.
Professor Souppez said: “It has been exciting to see the collaboration between BCU and Cal Poly come to life during the STEAM Challenge week.
“The energy has been incredible - it’s a powerful example of what STEAM can achieve when it’s truly interdisciplinary and international.
“It is particularly rewarding to see our students recognise the value of STEAM education and surpass their own expectations of what they can achieve in such a short time.”
Alexa Hartwell, Head of STEAM Academy at BCU, added: “Bringing together students from different disciplines and countries has created a genuinely exciting and collaborative environment.”
The sprint featured six live projects for US clients, including interactive technologies and conservation media to promote wildlife protection, and the design of a droid assistant incorporating mechatronics, atmospherics and animation.
You can learn more about the BCU and Cal Poly partnership and the STEAM sprint challenge through this video.