WLV Business Link Newsletter - Summer 2024

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New strategy outlines future direction

The University of Wolverhampton recently launched its new strategy, setting out its ambition and trajectory up to 2035. University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebrahim Adia, outlines his plan for the University of Wolverhampton’s future.

“The strategy presents a very clear vision for our university – to create opportunity, transform lives and build a more inclusive, productive and sustainable society.

Since I arrived at Wolverhampton, I have been determined that the university continues to build on its rich heritage whilst also looking ambitiously to the future.

The strategy reaffirms our identity as a civic institution, powered by our sense of place in the heart of the city and region, and strengthened by our connections to our communities.

Three-quarters of our students live within a 20-mile radius of the university and 77 per cent of our graduates go on to work in the West

Midlands region after completing their studies. I am convinced that a strengthened and successful university with a clarity of purpose can be both cause and consequence of a reinvigorated city and region, delivering benefits to communities and contributing to a highly skilled workforce.

I am determined that our new strategy will provide the basis for life-changing opportunities to many thousands of our students and their families whilst also playing a key role in boosting the economic and social fortunes of Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the West Midlands.

We recognise that to transform futures we must work collaboratively with our partners.

For our part, the university will help to raise aspirations in our communities, provide the widest possible educational opportunity both locally and globally, and will transform lives and futures by delivering outstanding education, research and knowledge exchange.

We look forward to you joining us on our exciting journey.

Professor Ebrahim

New Director, new WLV Business Link Network

The University of Wolverhampton has appointed a new Director of Research and Enterprise: Ceri Jones. Previously Director of Research and Innovation at Swansea University, Ceri joined the university in March.

An integral part of Ceri’s role is to establish and lead the formation of new and re-designed service provision for research and enterprise.

Ceri is enthusiastic about the advent of a new era of support for research and enterprise at the University: “I am delighted to introduce our new research and enterprise department at the University of Wolverhampton. This initiative marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, academic excellence, and industry collaboration. Our new directorate is dedicated

to supporting the research community, enhancing the university’s research profile, and driving forward enterprise activities that benefit both our institution and the wider community.”

Ceri’s appointment coincides with the creation of the WLV Business Link Network: a platform designed to forge stronger connections between the university and the partners from across all sectors. The network aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative projects, and commercialisation opportunities, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Through the WLV Business Link Network, the university will offer access to a range of added value services including consultancy, access to cutting-edge research, and bespoke training programmes tailored to industry needs.

Centre celebrates 20th anniversary

March 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Creative Industries Centre at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.

The University of Wolverhampton Science Park was established in collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton City Council. Their shared vision was to cultivate a central hub for high-tech businesses and provide essential support to startups through the provision of an incubator space.

Recognising the potential significance of the-then emerging creative industry sector in the UK, the Creative Industries Centre opened, providing facilities to accelerate job creation, new product development and skills development by encouraging growth and opportunity in our region.

Safer streets in Telford

University research is helping to improve safety for women and girls in public spaces. Researchers Dr Mahuya Kanjilal and Dr Nazanin Khasteganan finished a Home Office-funded Safer Street 4 study led by Professor Elaine Arnull.

Identifying best practices for addressing violence against women and girls in the nighttime economy, including national and international policing practices, the study revealed the reasons for fear, perception of safety and safety strategies that women and girls adopt in public spaces during dusk to dawn.

Telford and Wrekin Nighttime Economy Task Force team, Council and West Mercia Police are working towards adopting and implementing safety improvement initiatives.

Jas Bedesha, Service Delivery Manager of Safer Stronger Communities of Telford and Wrekin Council said: “Safer Street 4 study’s findings and recommendations are very useful for us to improve the safety of women and girls in the Telford and Wrekin area. It was a pleasure working with the research team led by Professor Arnull and continuing our collaborative partnership.’

Please email: M.Kanjilal@wlv.ac.uk if you interested to know more about the study.

The creative industries sector not only nurtures the shared cultures that enrich our lives but also plays a vital role in designing and shaping our cities and influencing the digital technologies that have and continue to revolutionise the world.

A pivotal aspect of the Science Park is business incubation and support, provided by SPARK. Its tailored business support programmes cater to individuals who may possess highly innovative ideas but lack knowledge in fundamental areas such as finance, investment, or marketing. Office space at attractive rates offers tenants a chance to expand and continue to take advantage of the many benefits of tenancy.

“We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for creatives in the UK”

Nigel Babb, Commercial Director at University of Wolverhampton Science Park said: “New technologies, and the important research and development, their creation and protection, will be the key to future growth in the economy, and in particular, the creative industries sector.

“We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for creatives in the UK and are keen to partner with colleagues to access the exceptional academic base of the University of Wolverhampton, tenants at the Science Park and stakeholders across the broader sector to shape a great future for this varied and exciting industry.”

Strategic Leadership and Management Training short course

Offered in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), University of Wolverhampton Business School is delighted to offer this fully-funded course aimed at healthcare and engineering professionals from small and medium-sized enterprises. Designed to help you fulfil your potential and provide impact within your organisation, you will benefit from practical learning with tangible applications, expert knowledge in cross-industry leadership and management, and have the opportunity to shape your future and develop alongside your peers. Combining interactive on-campus workshops, online learning, and practical on-the-job tasks,

Fully-funded places available!

modules on this five-month long course include:

Š Foundations of Strategic Leadership

Š Leadership and Crisis Management

Š Innovative Business Models for Sustainability

Š Knowledge LeadershipOptimization in Service Sectors

Š Digital Transformation Leadership

Š Inclusive Leadership

Cohort start dates are available in June and November 2024, April and September 2025, and February 2026. Email execed@wlv.ac.uk for any further information.

Participants must be based in the WMCA. Up to three people per organisation are eligible to sign up.

New additive manufacturing centre

The University of Wolverhampton and 3D printing global leaders EOS and AMCM, have joined forces to launch a new UK centre of excellence for additive manufacturing.

Specialising in the development of advanced materials and processes for demanding applications within industries such as space, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and quantum computing, the project is partially funded by the UK’s Regional Innovation Fund.

The centre will be based in the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Springfield Campus, and be a hub for knowledge exchange and research commercialisation activities, catering for local, regional, and global customers in a wide range of sectors.

Aiming to leverage cutting-edge technologies, processes, and expertise to drive efficiency and reduce material waste, the University’s Additive Manufacturing Research Group will lead material and process development activities to solve challenges such as the

difficulty in laser processing copper, which has desirable properties, hindering its widespread adoption in additive manufacturing.

Professor Arun Arjunan, Director of the ECMS and Centre for Engineering Innovation and Research at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The establishment of this centre sets the stage for a new era of innovation, sustainability, and responsible manufacturing. Future projects will investigate the integration of laser process data and machine learning, and artificial intelligence technologies for efficient material and laser process development.”

Nathan Rawlings, Sales Manager at EOS UK, said: “The UK manufacturing sector has always pushed forward and embraced innovation. Additive manufacturing with materials such as copper offers huge benefits for product designers but can be demanding to work with. This new centre will create and test the processes that enable material benefits to be reliably and consistently realised in real-world manufacturing component manufacturing.”

Funding to boost growth and widen participation for degree apprenticeships

The University of Wolverhampton has been allocated £722,578 by the Office for Students (OfS) to support growth of both new and existing degree apprenticeships.

The funding will also allow us to collaborate with the Aspire to HE/ UniConnect team in working with local communities, schools, colleges and employers to widen participation and increase awareness of the degree apprenticeship route.

The OfS will distribute funding for up to two academic years, designed to grow and build capacity and increase equality of opportunity in apprenticeships provision across higher education providers. £40m has been made available through a competitive bidding exercise over the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The aims of the strategy, that all students, from all backgrounds, with the ability and desire to undertake higher education, are supported to access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.

Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “The University of Wolverhampton was ranked number 1 in the UK this year in the Daily Mail University Rankings and League Table 2024 for teaching first generation students –those who are the first in their family to go to university.

“The OfS vision is strategically aligned to our ambition of improving social mobility for all students and this funding will help us to open up the apprenticeship route to a much wider group of people through our extensive outreach programme.

“We are proud of the contribution our apprentices make to our local communities and the wider region and are committed to enhancing our provision to ensure we continue to support the development of the regional and national workforce.”

The University is designing three new degree apprenticeship frameworks which will include Children's Nursing (July 2025), Podiatrist (September 2025) and Paramedic (April 2025).

Jenny Cannon, Head of Academic Business Development at the University, said: “The University of Wolverhampton is committed to

ensuring degree apprenticeships continue to grow, by creating new degree apprenticeships and by providing positive opportunities and routes to employment for individuals across the region.

“We will be working closely with Aspire to HE, our UniConnect partnership, Adam Vasco, the University’s Director of Inclusion and Diversity in Professional Practice, and local employers to ensure that this funding will be used to raise awareness of degree apprenticeship and increase participation.”

Gemma Kay, Director of Aspire to HE, said: “We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all and will be working with key stakeholders, through our ‘Aspiring Apprentices’ programme to ensure a fully inclusive approach when promoting and delivering our degree apprenticeship programmes.

“Working in partnership, we envisage this project will help to make positive steps towards ensuring that diversity within degree apprenticeships mirrors that of the region.”

John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the OfS, said: “With this second round of bids, we were looking for universities and colleges to not only describe how OfS funding would expand their degree apprenticeships student numbers and course provision, but also to further demonstrate how they would prioritise recruiting and supporting students from all backgrounds to succeed. I’m pleased to say that all the successful bids have risen to this challenge.

“We know that degree apprenticeships are so important as a route for students looking to engage in higher education in less traditional ways, and the benefits they bring to local and regional economies, which is why are investing up to £40 million over the next two academic years to increase the range and availability of these programmes. We have been inspired by the ambitious and forward-looking plans we have received, and I look forward to seeing how this funding can make a real difference to students and our future workforce over the next year and beyond.”

Eye-catching alumni campaign

The University of Wolverhampton has launched a new campaign to showcase and celebrate the worldwide achievements of some of its most amazing alumni.

High achievers from the world of literature, business, sport, film and the arts are featured as the University acknowledges some of its inspiring former students. The ‘Every Story has a Start’ campaign profiles alumni who explain how their lives and careers have flourished since their time at the University.

Free numeracy and maths tuition

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton is offering free numeracy and maths tuition to working adults across the West Midlands through its Multiply project.

Focus on endometriosis research

The University of Wolverhampton recently put on a special screening of Below the Belt, an educational film that explores the condition of endometriosis, followed by a Q&A session with experts in women’s health.

The campaign is being brought to life on sites around Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, including train stations, bus stops and billboards, as well as through social media.

Discover their stories.

Š New York Times bestselling author, Abi Daré

Š Oscar-winning visual effects master, Manolo Mantero

Š Former vice-president of design at Nike, David Odusanya

Š Award-winning humanitarian and entrepreneur, Deana Uppal

Š Former Lioness and Women’s Super League legend, Kerys Harrop

Š Vice-chair science and technology UN Climate Change, Natalie Flores

The service is staffed by a team of thirty students from across the region who have been specially trained to engage with and deliver sessions to working adults across the region. This large-scale community outreach and knowledge exchange project is funded by a grant worth £2.1 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Dr Liam Naughton, Multiply Project Lead, said: “Our team is delighted to be able to offer a bespoke upskilling service to employers and working people in the region. We have developed a range of solutions to help staff in specific sectors

Endometriosis, where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body, affects around 1.5 million women in the UK. Designed to shine a spotlight on the condition, colleagues from across the university held the screening at Springfield Campus on Friday 17 May, with experts including: Nicola Tonks, Pelvic Floor Specialist Nurse, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust; Dr Rasumnd Malhas, Gynaecologist, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust New Cross Hospital; Clare Roberts Malloy, Chief Executive

New Knowledge Transfer Partnership

The School of Architecture and Built Environment has secured a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), co funded by the Welsh Government, to implement digital twin and artificial intelligence to help the construction sector.

Professor David Heesom and Dr Nigel Moore from the Digital Construction Research Group will build upon a previous KTP which was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ grade in the review process with Poppleton Ltd, based in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

A leading provider of ventilation solutions, Poppleton engages in high technology market sectors including nuclear, power and decommissioning, pharmaceutical, healthcare and clean rooms. The vision for this new project is to implement a sector-first, novel digital twin-based workflow within Poppleton.

Professor Heesom said: “The innovation in the project lies in the exploitation of digital twin beyond monitoring of operational buildings and into the construction domain, providing real time traceability, improved coordination, and intelligent, rich data to underpin future project opportunities.

“AI will then be used to leverage this data to support management and optimisation of projects. The project is currently recruiting an associate and will run for the next two years.”

improve their functional numeracy skills, including short courses targeting staff in the hospitality, retail and manufacturing sector. We are available to deliver on-site for employers but also online to suit the busy schedules of working adults.”

Officer, Periods Matter; Lauren Kate, Artist and Researcher into the lived experience of endometriosis; and Michelle Worthington, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Exercise Researcher.

Dr Debra Cureton, Associate Professor of Equality in Learning and Teaching in the Doctoral College at the university, said: “The screening is a cross-University effort. As a group, we are passionate about promoting period dignity, challenging stigma and supporting awareness of

The team is also running a large scale outreach campaign to raise awareness of the wider WMCA “Get comfortable with numeracy” campaign. Interested individuals or organisations can email: multiply@wlv.ac.uk for more information.

gynaecological health. Endometriosis is a crippling and chronic condition that is experienced by approximately 190 million women globally, yet there is no known cure. We wanted to highlight the lived experience of endometriosis and, hopefully, help people to better understand the condition.”

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