A new partnership will see academics link up with industry experts to provide new research projects, boost employability for students and create jobs in the region.
Birmingham City University has formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute (HSSMI) which will see both organisations work collaboratively to connect business leaders with academic expertise.
As an independent institute HSSMI aims to collaborate with manufacturers, academic institutes and solution providers to deploy innovative technologies, tools and methods to support the manufacturing sector.
Alongside Birmingham City University they aim to collaborate toward the wider promotion, success and positive impact on manufacturing in the West Midlands contributing to the development of the manufacturing base, presence, knowledge, scope and skills.
The MoU builds on a relationship between Birmingham City University and HSSMI, which started with HSSMI supporting the Universitys Magnesium Innovation Group.
They used advanced manufacturing techniques and end of life strategies to empower low volume automotive companies to access magnesium high pressure die casting to achieve their light weighting and the reduction in carbon footprint targets.
It also brings added value to our students to create additional academic capital in their work with employers be it through apprenticeships, placements or projects.Birmingham is the UKs heart of the manufacturing and its really appropriate that we, the University for Birmingham, are able to enhance this through HSSMI.
Dr Leslie Lee, Executive Director at HSSMI, said: We see significant added value through the new partnership with Birmingham City University. This is an exciting new alliance and we look forward to working closely together to innovate and deploy new advanced manufacturing techniques in support of a developing UK government industrial strategy.
The new partnership will provide students with links to major employers as well as giving the University access to new funding opportunities for major research projects.
HSSMI plans to grow its Midlands based workforce by three times following the move to Birminghams East side which was finalised this week.