Regional ICT firms set to benefit from innovative research scheme

Wed 19th Sep

Businesses in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector are being invited to take advantage of a unique scheme that allows them to benefit from research which will have a real economic impact on the South West economy.

ICT has been added as a theme to the Great Western Research programme, as it is believed that research investment in this sector will have a long-lasting effect on the region’s economic success.

Based across six broad research themes designed to support enterprise in the region, the project underlines the importance of investment in research, particularly by the region’s businesses. The South West of England Regional Development Agency provided just under £4millon of funding, with other contributions coming from HEFCE and the region’s higher education institutions. To be eligible for the funding, businesses must be based in the South West (or have a ‘significant presence’), be a commercial entity and be passionate about innovation and creativity. Through the South West RDA, GWR will provide 50% of the funding for the research project and the business will provide the remaining 50%.

Lorelei Hunt, Director of Innovation at the South West RDA said, “Investments in research are crucial to unlocking South West England’s business potential. The addition of ICT to GWR will enable us to increase the impact of the sector on the region’s economy; and that businesses in this field will benefit from further developing their research activities through the GWR programme to raise their competitive edge in the global marketplace.”

Paul Hudson, Project Manager for GWR added, “The development of ICT over the past few years means it is ripe for research. Areas of potential collaboration for research studentships within the field of ICT in the South West have been identified to reflect our areas of particular strength such as wireless communication systems and networks, silicon chip design and production including Multimedia chip design, artificial intelligence and machine learning and Mobile and Pervasive Technologies .”

A launch event for businesses and academics involved in ICT will take place on Tuesday September 25, 2007 at Bristol and Exeter Universities, where all interested parties will be able to find out about the programme and what they need to do to submit a proposal.

The launch event will consist of:

• Details of how GWR Studentships can help your ICT business
• Details of how high level research collaboration can benefit your business
• An opportunity to network with businesses and academics
• An opportunity to discuss potential projects which would qualify for GWR funding with academics and GWR staff

The ICT theme panel will be chaired by Professor Joe McGeehan, Professor of Communications Engineering at Bristol University and Director of the Toshiba Telecommunications Research Laboratory (TRL).

In order to allow enough time to build partnerships and generate joint research proposals in ICT, the closing date for the third call for GWR studentships will be extended to noon on January 14, 2008 for all of the six theme areas.

For further information please visit www.greatwesternresearch.ac.uk. If you would like to attend the events on September 25, please contact Paul Hudson on 01392 269103 or email p.s.hudson@exeter.ac.uk

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