Birmingham City University

Centre for Brexit Studies reacts to triggering of Article 50

Birmingham City University — 29/03/2017

Experts from the Centre for Brexit Studies have commented on what the triggering of Article 50 will mean for the UK's business, law and economy.

With the announcement by the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, that Article 50 will be enacted on 29 March 2017, speculation has now turned to the likely timings of the negotiation phase to withdraw the UK from the European Union.

Centre for Brexit Studies

Birmingham City University

Commenting on the timings of the likely negotiation process, Professor Alex De Ruyter, Director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University, said:

With the impending French Presidential elections and the German Federal elections coming up over the next few months, it is likely that no real discussions over Britains withdrawal from the EU will take place until after November this year when a new German government is in place.

This means that the UK Government will most likely only have a matter of months to conduct serious negotiations over Brexit. We are thus staring down the barrel of a likely hard Brexit by April 2019.

Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University, and Chair of the British American Business Chamber Midlands, added in commenting on implications for the West Midlands region:

With the likely thrust of negotiations with Brussels, it is more imperative than ever for the West Midlands to build on its recent success in exporting to the USA and China to grow markets elsewhere in the world.

Appraising the situation, Professor Beer stated that a focus on trade agreements is necessary, but first we need to build trade, and in order to build trade, we need to have world-class infrastructure and skills.

The focus on skills means that we also need to protect the status of UK higher education institutions, and make sure they continue to be attractive destinations for international students and staff which will require continued research collaboration and mobility opportunities with EU partners, he added.

Professor De Ruyter added: The UK Governments recent consultation on its Green Paper on Industrial Strategy has provided a golden opportunity for the UK Government to address longstanding imbalances in funding between different areas of the UK and address our skills and infrastructure deficits.

We also have the opportunity to positively embrace the opportunities opened up by devolution and recognise that manufacturing is just as important as if not more so - than financial services to the UK economy.

Once Article 50 is triggered the process of transferring elements of European Union law into British law will also begin, with the so-called Great Repeal Bill.

Commenting on the legal process, Dr Scarlett McArdle, Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University, said: It has been announced that the Government will publish its white paper on the Great Repeal Bill on Thursday, just a day after triggering Article 50.

The general proposals, as they are currently understood, are to translate all existing legal obligations into domestic law so that nothing legally changes on the day the UK leaves the EU. The Government would then undertake to repeal or amend the obligations that they consider need changing when they have further time available.

Its worth considering that there are a number of aspects still to be clarified. There are certain legal obligations which will not be straightforward in just transposing directly into UK law. The issue of workers rights is one to think about.

The other aspect is the approach that the Government is considering taking to amend or repeal laws after Brexit. There have been discussions about the use of Henry VIII powers to do this and whether this should be the case or not.

These powers are exercised by Government ministers and allow changes to legislation without going through the full Parliamentary process. The question of whether these powers should be extensively used by Government ministers is something that will see some debate over the coming months as the Great Repeal Bill is discussed.

Can we help you profit from new product development?

Birmingham City University — 26/10/2022

Can you spare 5 minutes to tell us how we can help?

We're develping a new service to help hard working businesses design, develop and launch new products and we'd like to know what you really need.

By completing our survey, you'll be entered into a free prize draw to win one year's free Affiliate Membership at Birmingham City University's centre for collaborative innovation, STEAMhouse!

TAKE OUR SURVEY HERE

The closing date for entries is 4th November 2022.

T's and C's apply

Thank you!

Patrick, STEAMhouse/Birmingham City University

Housing legacy for University’s City North Campus

Birmingham City University — 06/04/2017

Part of Birmingham City Universitys Perry Barr campus is to be redeveloped to meet the citys growing housing demands. It comes as real estate adviser, GVA has completed the disposal of a 14.5 acre site on behalf of the University for £6.1 million. A part of the Universitys City North Campus, the plot on Aldridge Road has been sold to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) with support from Savills as part of an ongoing estates rationalisation process, which has already seen the sale of part of the same site for use by a free school in 2014. The deal allows the University to retain occupancy of its premises which represents the vast majority of its teaching accommodation located within the Perry Barr suburb of Birmingham until late 2018, at which point its School of Education and Social Work will relocate to its new £41 million home, currently under construction at the Universitys City South Campus in Edgbaston. Carl Potter, Senior Director at GVA, said: This is a tremendous outcome for the site. Birmingham City University will be provided with the confidence that their departure in late 2018 will not lead to an under-utilised asset in one of the citys main growth areas. The site represents a tremendous opportunity for redevelopment of a residential-focused scheme able to provide much-needed housing within the area. Professor Graham Upton, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said: The sale further confirms our determination to leave a powerful legacy for the local community who have been nothing but supportive of us during our time at Perry Barr. We know that Birminghams population is growing faster than homes are being built, so our land will help the government address this problem, while creating new jobs and strengthening the Perry Barr community in the process. Meanwhile, our new purpose built 10,500m² building in Edgbaston which includes provision for research, a new lecture theatre, a multi-purpose hall, speech therapy, art and technology classrooms and IT hubs will help ensure that we retain our status as the largest provider of teachers in the West Midlands. The HCA will now draw up a planning application in conjunction with Birmingham City Council and Birmingham City University. Karl Tupling, General Manager for the Midlands for the, HCA, said: Aldridge Road is a significant development opportunity and an excellent example of the HCAs work to increase house building. We are confident that providing new homes in keeping with the existing character and nature of the area will be a significant benefit, providing more homes for the local community. We will now work to with Birmingham City Council and Birmingham City University to accelerate the development process to ensure that the site is brought back into productive use at the earliest possible opportunity.

University offer businesses a head of STEAM with new workshop

Birmingham City University — 08/03/2017

Support worth over £2,000 is being made available to small businesses by Birmingham City University to help enterprises develop new ideas.

The free, two-day workshop STEAMlab is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro businesses and sole traders utilise new technologies and improve their products.

Open to all relevant businesses within the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area, the event will be led by Birmingham City University academics alongside industry experts on 30 and 31 March at Fazeley Social.

STEAMlab will give participants the opportunity to address and negotiate different challenges in a supportive and experimental learning environment. The workshop will help companies look at new ways of researching and developing innovative and practical solutions to new ideas, new business or artistic products and services.

STEAMlab is part of STEAMHouse Phase One, a creative innovation centre currently being established in Birminghams Digbeth area with the aim of brokering collaborative relationships between arts and creative industries, businesses and academics.

The centre will demonstrate how arts and creativity can be combined with STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to drive innovation, skills, research and economic growth.

STEAMHouse, backed with a £14 million funding package from government, will provide support to SMEs and new enterprises from the GBSLEP region of Birmingham, Solihull, North Worcester and South Staffordshire. It will develop new products and services through workshops (such as STEAMlab), grants and research cooperation with academics from the University.

STEAMlab offers a unique opportunity for businesses who are actively seeking to be more innovative and willing to share ideas. Participants will be set real world, active challenges and gain the necessary skills and knowledge from our academic team in order to respond to these tasks as best they can, before applying their learning on their own enterprises. Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University

We are particularly interested in supporting projects that focus on building learning and knowledge with the skills and technologies of the future. STEAMHouse, for example, is focusing its work on the growth areas of creative and digital industries, health and life sciences, low carbon and advanced manufacturing.

Alongside networking opportunities, STEAMlab will also offer financial assistance to prototype products and services within STEAMhouse and allow access to the innovation centres facilities in Digbeth, which will open later this year.

STEAMHouse is a partnership between Birmingham City University and Eastside Projects, supported by the European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) and Arts Council England Creative Local Growth Fund.

University launches new apprenticeship scheme with automotive finance company

Birmingham City University — 09/03/2017

Birmingham City University is to announce a new Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme this week, with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Ltd currently recruiting apprentices to join the course in September.

The three-year work based learning programme offers apprentices the opportunity to achieve a BA (Hons) degree in Business Management whilst working, as well as attaining Chartered Manager status and receiving the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CDMA).

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2017, Birmingham City University will officially launch the new CDMA programme at a special event on Friday 10 March at the City Centre Campus Curzon Building.

As we thrive to continue growing our economy we have to make sure that people are equipped with the skills, education and experience they need to go out in the world and make successful careers for themselves. Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University.

Higher Level Apprenticeships are one way in which we can do this, by allowing studiers to earn while they learn and gain real-world experience as well as picking up a degree at the end of their course.

Apprentices will spend the vast majority of their three-year degree in the workplace, whilst developing learning and research skills relevant to their place of work.

As well as providing a professional career pathway for apprentices, the CDMA learning programme will enable employers to upskill their workforce and access resources from Birmingham City Universitys Business School.

Modules in the three-year programme include Understanding organisations and organisational behaviour, Cross-cultural management and Contemporary global management issues.

Launching this course is a major step forward in diversifying the range of options which are available to people, and providing the type of education and training which can be really valuable in underpinning our economic growth in the future, added Professor Beer

For more information and to register for the launch event, book here

Innovation Workshop - Strategy and Leadership for Innovation

Birmingham City University — 12/04/2017

BUSINESS INNOVATION WORKSHOPS

Tuesday 16th May 9:30am - 5:00pm

The Business Innovation Workshops are run on three specific topics by leading academics from Aston University, Birmingham City University and University of Wolverhampton. The workshops are funded by the European Regional Development Fund and therefore free to the participating company. On completion of min 2 workshops delegates will receive a prestigious Managing Innovation in Business Certificate.

Strategy and Leadership for Innovation

This workshop is designed to help SMEs build their strategic leadership capacity and enhance the cultural and structural effectiveness of their organisation for innovation. The workshop is designed around 3 pillars:
Pillar 1: Generating ideas, identifying and exploiting opportunities
Pillar 2: Formulating an appropriate strategic position and business model
Pillar 3: Setting up organisational mechanisms and culture that support innovation

Location and Parking

Birmingham City University (BCU) - The Curzon Building: 4 Cardigan Street Birmingham B4 7BD

There is a multi-storey car park owned and managed by Birmingham City Council situated adjacent to Millennium Point. The car park can be accessed via Jennens Road and Millennium Point is clearly signposted from all main routes into the city simply follow the brown tourist signs. The nearest motorways are the M6, M5 and M42. NB. If using sat nav please use the following postcode- B4 7AP. The multi-storey car park has a height restriction of 2.1m (610).

Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5000

General Information

It is advised that companies attend each workshop just once.
All Business Innovation Workshops start 9:30am and finish at 5pm. Lunch and refreshments are provided.

The value of this workshop series is around £15,000. Therefore if you are unable to attend please let us know 48 hours prior to the workshop. A member of the team will then contact you to advise on other workshop opportunities.

Book now

Midlands Perspectives April Issue

Birmingham City University — 19/04/2017

April 28th will see the release of the first quarter GDP estimates for 2017 by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). With recent PMI data indicating some softening of output performance, the data will give an indication of whether the immediate post-Brexit growth trajectory is sustainable.

Furthermore, PMI data continues to highlight the strength of regional output performance and we will being discussing how the ONS is developing its regional economic data series and provide the background analysis behind our latest quarterly forecasts for the region.

To discuss this latest analysis, on the performance of the British and regional economy, we would like to invite you participate in the discussion, following comments from our Panel.

The agenda is as follows:

1200 Registration & Light Buffet

1225 Welcome & Introduction

1230 Panel Presentation & Discussion

Richard Prothero, Head of Regional Data, ONS

Tim Moore, Senior Economist, IHS Markit

David Hearne, Economist, MEF

1315 Q&A

1345 Networking

1400 Close

For further information please contact info@midlandseconomicforum.co.uk or 07738 324 517.

Register now

The Digital Debate: Maximising Big Data and Cyber Security

Birmingham City University — 13/04/2017

Wednesday 19 April 2017

7:30am - 9:15am

Curzon Building

Birmingham City University

4 Cardigan St

Birmingham

B4 7BD

YOU ARE INVITED

Digital will make or break your business. It provides boundless opportunities, but also enormous threats.

You are invited to Insider's Digital Debate which will guide you through the benefits and pitfalls of the digital economy. The breakfast event will look at how you can avoid security breaches, and when and how to report an attack.

Register today to find out from our panel of experts how to ensure you make the most of the vast oceans of data which pours into your company.

Places will book up fast so make sure you register your interest in attending!

Register now

SPEAKERS

Mak Sharma

Head of the school of computing & digital, Birmingham City University

Daniel Lawrence

National coordinator for cyber protection, National Police Chief's Council

Sarah Windrum

Director, Emerald Comms

Tim Rawlins

Director, NCC Group

Guy Mucklow

President, PCA Predict

Kinnari Ladha

Big data specialist, Inspired Thinking Group

Sean Price

Director, RDS Global

Our experts will discuss:

What are the best ways of protecting your company from attack?

How do you know if you've been the victim of cybercrime?

How do you minimise the negative publicity from an attack?

How can businesses clean and sift through the huge volumes of data?

How useful is quality of data as opposed to quantity?

Register now

ENQUIRIES

For event enquiries please contact Lauren Ainsworth on 0161 907 9735

For sponsorship enquiries please contact Tracey Bull on 0121 214 6560

Rethink 2017

Birmingham City University — 07/06/2017

#Rethink2017, Birmingham City Universitys one-day conference for digital media professionals, taking place on Tuesday 13 June 2017 at 9AM. At Parkside, the UKs largest media production centre, attendees will hear valuable talks by industry leaders, insightful panel discussions and have fantastic networking opportunities.

#Rethink2017 is part of Digital Cities Birmingham, running 12 - 18 June for a series of inspiring free events and roadshows across the city.

The conference programme will make attendees rethink how you gather, generate and publish truly engaging content to meet the rapidly-changing expectations of todays audience. Issues of representation and diversity, both on and off-screen, will be debated throughout the day.

BOOK NOW

The full line up of speakers is shown below.

The host - Ayo Akinwolere

Ayo is a broadcaster, world record holder and BAFTA nominee. He became Blue Peters first black male presenter, hosting the show for five years. In 2015, he became the winner of an RTS (Royal Television Society Award) for his documentary on Extremism for the BBC's Inside Out.

Chair - Maverine Cole

Marverine is an Award-winning TV News Journalist & Broadcaster with over 30 years experience. She has worked for many of Britains most watched TV channels and listened to radio stations. Marverines a multi-award-winning Journalist, whos presented over 3,000 hours of live television & radio programmes for BBC News, ITV News and Sky News.

Chair - Robert Sharl

Robert Sharl is a Senior Lecturer in Visual Communications in the School of Visual Communications at Birmingham City Universitys Faculty of Art, Media and Design.Robert is changing the way that industry and the School of Visual Communications collaborate, he wants the University to be at the centre of creative activities in the city.

The speakers

Tim Plyming

Tim has been creative leader and partner since June 2016 for Green Rock,with board-level responsibility for creative development and Executive Production on every project.

Drew Benvie

Drew Benvie is founder of social media agency Battenhall. As a consultant, he has advised and represented corporations, global figures and brands worldwide.

Lyra McKee

Lyra McKee is a freelance journalist based in Belfast. She has been published in The Atlantic, BuzzFeed News, Private Eye, and many more. She works mostly on longer-term projects, while editing media news site Mediagazer.

Faraz Osman

Faraz is the MD of Lemonade Money, a collection of award winning, expert video producers and creatives, crafting films in music, fashion, art and youth culture, for broadcasters, brands and online channels in a confident, celebratory and inclusive way.

Linda Davidson

Linda was a writer for a BBC science programme, she then went onto be apart of BBC Online overseeing Drama Entertainment and Children's, launching the award winning Writer's Room. Linda was headhunted to launch E4.com, from there Linda went to work at Discovery as Global Production Director (digital) and then Director of IT, business strategy and operations.

Adam Biddle

Adam Biddle is the MD of Edition a digital and creative agency owned by Vice media Group. Adam has hands on experience with devising and executing internet publishing strategies on behalf of global celebrities, key opinion influencers and best-in-class brands.

Dr Yemisi Akinbobola

Yemisi is an Award leader, Global Media Management/ Publisher & Editor in Chief IQ4News, she is also a Distance Learning Programme Coordinator and Visiting Lecturer at the Birmingham School of Media.

Dr Robert Lawson

Robert Lawson is Senior Lecturer in Sociolinguistics at Birmingham City University and former Fulbright Scottish Studies Scholar (University of Pittsburgh, 2012-2013).

BOOK NOW

University launches new apprenticeships programmes

Birmingham City University — 11/02/2021

Birmingham City University has announced three new degree apprenticeships aimed at supporting key services in the West Midlands and beyond. The new courses will allow apprentices to earn while they learn in the key sectors of healthcare, construction and fire safety.

The announcement comes during National Apprenticeship Week, (8-14 February) which celebrates the role of apprenticeships for careers and industries across the UK.

The three new programmes add to the University’s existing programme of apprenticeships, which is made up of nearly 1,000 learners, making it one of the region’s leading universities for apprenticeships.

Current apprenticeships offered by the Unveristy include:

Postgrad Engineer
Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Aerospace Engineer

Visit our website to find out more about our apprenticeships.

Interested in finding out more about how BCU can help your business start, grow and innovate? Visit our BCU Advantage website or contact us.

BCU Partnership to bring digital innovation to historic manufacturer

Birmingham City University — 30/06/2021

Experts from the University’s School of Jewellery have embarked on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to help bring about the digital transformation of Firmin and Sons – a traditional manufacturer of buttons, badges, medals, regalia and ceremonial armour, based in the Jewellery Quarter.

The company’s USP is based on its UK manufacture and heritage, but it has ambitions to wed modern digital technologies to its traditional artisan craft skills, to streamline the design to manufacture process while maintaining their traditional craft skills and quality standards. By leveraging computer-aided design and digital manufacturing technologies, the aim is to get products to customers in days, rather than months.

The two-year project will include a School of Jewellery alumnus (KTP Associate) who will work in collaboration with academics from BCU to apply knowledge and technical innovation to the company’s processes.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK-wide programme that has been helping businesses for the past 40 years to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. In a KTP, the University employs a graduate or postgraduate (the Associate) to work on site with the company, jointly supervised by company and university staff.

Interested in finding out more about Knowledge transfer Partnerships at BCU? Visit our BCU Advantage website or contact us.

BCU showcases health expertise in UAE

Birmingham City University — 30/03/2017

Staff from Birmingham City University have joined forces with the Midlands Engine initiative to showcase their academic expertise, research strengths and training offer at one of the worlds largest healthcare exhibitions.

Arab Health attracts over 100,000 professionals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and exhibitors attend from over 160 countries. Taking place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2017, it offers a platform on which to build relationships within the healthcare industry, to showcase progress and achievement in the sector, and to explore new opportunities with stakeholders in the healthcare field.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention was impressed by training opportunities offered by the University and the two institutions are now hoping to collaborate on areas including preventative healthcare, management of long term conditions and mental wellbeing. Furthermore, three large hospitals in Dubai were interested in systems and process management expertise offered by academics at Birmingham City University.

Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences

Birmingham City University

The University visited Arab Health alongside the Midlands Engine, a government-backed initiative that aims to boost economic growth across the region through enhanced trade and investment. Their involvement ensured staff from Birmingham City Universitys Research, Innovation and Enterprise team enjoyed pre-arranged one-to-one meetings with overseas commercial advisers and buyers. They also had the opportunity to take part in the additional activity arranged by the Department of International Trade (DIT), including a networking reception and several optional site visits.

Dr Umar Daraz, Director of Innovation at Birmingham City University, said:

We were pleased to work closely with Midlands Engine and its partners to showcase our expertise and to explore new opportunities with stakeholders in the healthcare field at Arab Health. The conference is the second largest healthcare exhibition and congress in the world and the largest in the Middle East, so we enjoyed a very significant global platform.

The visit to Dubai allowed Birmingham City University to build a strong network in the region to explore future opportunities and partnerships. In addition, we made contacts with many healthcare providers in the UK over a very short space of time, including within the Midlands Engine delegation, which will lead to opportunities for business development and research.

The UAE is one of the fastest growing healthcare markets in the world. Their annual spend on healthcare in 2014 was $14 billion.

This market is set for significant growth over the coming years, and the country is currently investing in an ambitious hospital build programme designed to turn the country into the Gulfs leading medical tourism hub, which is creating massive opportunities throughout the healthcare supply chain.

Ian Harrison, Department of International Trades Acting Regional Director for the Midlands, said:

Whilst we cant underestimate the growing importance of global trade being conducted online, most is still undertaken by meeting people face-to-face and getting to know customers and their requirements via the personal touch.

Thats why it can be so beneficial for first-time and established exporters within the Midlands Engine to join DIT trade missions such as that to Arab Health.

Following the exhibition, academic staff from the fields of life sciences, health, business and computing at Birmingham City University plan to visit the UAE later this year to deliver training sessions and work with key healthcare providers in the region.

Arab Health took place between 30 January and 2 February.

West Midlands Construction Skills Breakfast Workshop

Birmingham City University — 19/04/2017

The West Midlands Construction Industry is set to enjoy strong growth with the arrival of HS2, the regeneration of our towns and cities and a major house building programme.

Register now

An ageing workforce and increased demand means we must act now to attract and train the skilled diverse workforce we will need to fulfil the myriad of professional and trade roles the construction industry has to offer.

The West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City University and the Building Alliance are developing a ground breaking built environment network. At the heart of this will be a new portal which brings together all those who wish to see the people of the West Midlands fulfil their full potential through a career in the construction sector.

Key to this will be providing a one stop opportunity for those who wish to learn to see all the courses that are avaliable through FE colleges, Private Providers and Universities. This free service will be vital as we seek to signpost and inform students about the opportunities that exist.

We would like to invite you to this important breakfast briefing where we demonstrate the portal and discuss the wider project. You will also be given instructions and login 's to enable you to upload the courses you provide and other relevant information.

Register now

FREE Skills Bootcamp at Birmingham City University for Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Internet of Things technologies.

Birmingham City University — 27/01/2023

A brand new FREE online Skills Bootcamp from Birmingham City University provides skills and knowledge in Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Internet of Things technologies.

According to recent research, 80% of manufacturers have identified workforce skills gaps in digital technologies, particularly in understanding, managing and securing data.

Knowledge of machine learning, cybersecurity & Internet of Things technologies is highly transferable and very much in demand, not only in manufacturing but in other sectors including energy, transport and healthcare.

With the accelerated growth in this sector, professionals with the requisite skills, knowledge and digital literacy are highly valued by employers.

This brand-new Skills Bootcamp is FREE both for eligible self-referring employees who wish to progress careers within their own organisations and also to unemployed learners requiring additional skills with which to return to the job market.

If you are an employer, this intensive, short-term training course presents a high-value opportunity to upskill one or more of your employees in the key areas of cybersecurity and machine learning, with the vast majority of the cost being contributed by the Department of Education.

Starting week commencing 6^th February and delivered entirely online - two sessions per week over an 8-week period - the Skills Bootcamp will also provide the opportunity to gain additional professional accreditations such as Microsoft certification.

Upon completion of the course, every graduate will be awarded an official BCU certificate of Achievement to recognise their accomplishment and with which to evidence their skills to current and future employers.

To be eligible, learners must simply be 30 years old or younger and reside in the area served by West Midlands Combined Authority. See map for details.

This is a fantastic opportunity. Places are limited, so don’t miss out! For more details and to request an application form, click on this link.

New project investigating SMEs' supply chain challenges

Birmingham City University — 28/03/2022

A new research project is investigating challenges within modern manufacturing supply chains, as well as investigating cutting-edge digital innovations to help solve these issues.

Helping businesses to adopt new technologies

The project - led by Junaid Arshad, Associate Professor in Birmingham City University’s School of Computing – is a continuation of the Digital Innovations for Niche Sector Industry Supply Chain Optimisation (DINS) project.

Completed in November 2021, DINS conducted a feasibility study.

This assessed the potential of developing a new model that encourages suppliers to invest in more digital research and adopt new technologies to improve their business processes.

“The major issue within niche sector supply chains is visibility,” Junaid explains.

“This visibility is then linked to business’ ability to adhere to quality assurance, as well as the efficiency of business processes and their ability to deliver just-in-time manufacturing operations.”

One solution being developed are digital twins, which – according to Junaid – “aid simulating business processes, highlight inefficiencies within business processes and facilitate real-time modelling and simulation of processes.”

Supply chain improvements for SMEs

Phase two of the project will continue this work, as well as expanding the number of commercial partners testing the system.

The proposed digital innovations will be demonstrated across two separate supply chains in the automotive and marine industries, to prove transferability and flexibility of the solution.

The project aims to develop new digital solutions that result in supply chain improvements for UK manufacturers, particularly SMEs.

“There are a range of short and long-term objectives for the project,” explains Junaid.

“Namely, it will digitise and provide real-time inventory management for the supplier and the customer, and reduce the transport of goods by integrating robots into the production process.”

Direct impact

BCU will be developing new partners for research and knowledge transfer activities, to expand the research business of BCU.

This research will also deliver direct impact to local and national businesses.

Currently, the new project involves a number of collaborations with leading industry organisations, including Westfield Sports Cars, The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ecoclassics Ltd, Rift Technology, Beaulieu Group and Nyobolt.

“The digital solutions will enable more efficient business processes,” Junaid explains. “The real-time traceability will also facilitate just-in-time manufacturing operation, while enabling quality assurance practice.”

Interested in finding out how BCU academics can support you in solving your business challenges? Contact our business support platform, BCU Advantage, to find out how we can support.

BCU to host collaborative event highlighting the potential of magnesium

Birmingham City University — 24/02/2022

Birmingham City University (BCU) is hosting a special collaborative event highlighting the potential contribution of magnesium to the emerging Indian market, as part of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

Increasing magnesium's industrial reach

The event is taking place on Monday 14 March from 1 - 3.15pm (UK time), in collaboration with the International Magnesium Association (IMA).

The Indian Market is emerging in terms of transport, not only by its size, but also by its engineering potential and its appetite to develop its education capability and technical skills.

So why isn’t magnesium more widely used by the transport sector in India? Hoping to answer this question and increase the material’s industrial reach, BCU and IMA are hosting a seminar to inspire and educate about the wonder of magnesium.

This event is part of a series of business-related events BCU is hosting throughout the year. For more information, visit our BCU Advantage events page.

International speakers with extensive industry

The event will feature a number of key international speakers, including:

Rick McQueary, President of the IMA, as well as Senior Vice-President and COO of Mag Specialties Inc. Rick boasts over 37 years of experience in the magnesium industry.
Professor Stephen Brown, Visiting Professor at BCU. Prior to this, Stephen worked at Meridian, designing, developing and manufacturing structural magnesium die cast component for over 20 years.
Partha Choudhary, COO of LML, a leader in electric mobility. In his previous roles, Partha has successfully led the growth of Hero Lectro, Yamaha and more.
Akshar Ghai, Managing Director of ALMAMET India Private Ltd since its incorporation in 2012.
Suraj Navrekar, a graduate in engineering in industrial production from RVCE, Bangalore. He is now proudly associated with Rauch Furnace Technology, handling their business development in India.
Professor Trevor Abbott, Director of Research and Development at Magontec Limited and Director of Abbottics Pty Ltd.
Dr R Murugan, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Panimalar Institute of Technology, Chennai, boasting more than 25 years of teaching experience.
Martin Tauber, Founder of FAURIS, a company which provides industry services on a global basis, as well as European Representative and former Chairman of the European Committee of the IMA.
Makhan Singh, Senior Development Manager for the Partnerships team at BCU, with a prime partnership engagement focus on India.
Dr Venkatesh Chennam, leader of the Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) Lab at BCU's School of Engineering.

BCU has conducted numerous collaborative projects with India to celebrate the country's 75th anniversary of independence.

For example, the University has recently collaborated with The Lala Bahadur Chand Munjal Foundation to host an event offering expert advice on launching a startup, part of a series of masterclasses before opening an innovation centre in India.

“This programme represents BCU India’s ongoing work to further develop cultural, business, political and academic links between the University and India," says Makhan Singh, Senior Development Manager (India Partnerships) within BCU’s Research, Innovation, Enterprise and Employability directorate.

"I am hoping attendees will learn of the great benefits of magnesium from leading experts and the great reach this material can provide to the ever growing Electric mobility agenda, both in India and internationally.”

Interested in attending? Register your interest via the Eventbrite link.

Centre for Brexit Studies to offer free introductory trade sessions

Birmingham City University — 26/06/2017

Business leaders and policy advisors are being offered free training to prepare for international trade deals following Britains withdrawal from the European Union.

Birmingham City Universitys Centre for Brexit Studies is hosting two free introductory sessions for its Mastering International Trade masterclasses, to allow key people to see how the courses could benefit their organisations or authorities.

Centre for Brexit Studies

Birmingham City University

A year on from the landmark referendum vote (23 June 2016) the special events are designed to prepare for new economic partnerships, after Brexit negotiations began last week.

The sessions will provide a sample of the topics covered in the masterclasses including the legal, business and economic implications of world-wide trade negotiations.

They will be held at Birmingham City Universitys City Centre Campus on Tuesday June 27 from 2pm 5pm, the second will be held on Monday July 3 at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce in Wolverhampton from 2pm 5pm.

Professor Alex de Ruyter, Head of Birmingham City Universitys Centre for Brexit Studies, said: Offering these free sessions will give business people and civil servants concerned with international trade in the new environment we find ourselves in with the chance to see how their knowledge and skills could be expanded to really make the most of international deals following our withdrawal from the EU.

Chandani.Koria@bcu.ac.uk. The Michael Russell MSP event can be booked via Eventbrite.

For more information visit: www.bcu.ac.uk/brexit

Big Data Corridor drop-in surgery for business

Birmingham City University — 28/06/2017

SME in the greater Birmingham or Solihull area? Benefit from free support to grow and develop your business

BOOK NOW

Find out about this unique opportunity and register onto the programme - meet the experts and discuss how your business can take advantage of a bespoke support package to innovate using data and be a part of tomorrows business world today.

Little or no experience of using data? Assistance to develop knowledge and skills. Learn how to use information to benefit your company.

Already know what you are doing? Technical expertise and business advice to accelerate your product development and/or business plans

10.30 10.45 registration and networking with a welcome drink

10.45 11.00 find out more about the Big Data Corridor

11.00 13.00 speak to the experts to find out how you can receive expert support and benefit from this opportunity

12.15 lunch will be served, networking opportunities and partner contact during the surgery

Experts Include:

Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City University
Aston University
EnableiD
Innovation Birmingham
Telensa
TfWM

BOOK NOW

Introduction to Get Skills, Wednesday 13th April From 6pm

Birmingham City University — 07/04/2016

The evening will introduce you to how Get Skills from BCU Advantage will connect students and businesses/organisations with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. The event will also offer networking opportunities with businesses looking for growth, Gary Poulton (entrepreneur and semi-finalist in BBCs The Apprentice 2015), Birmingham City University colleagues and entrepreneurial and business focused students and graduates.
For those of you that would like to brush up on your networking skills we are also hosting an optional pre-event workshop to help you Get Skills in networking (places are very limited so please register now for yours).
To discover more about Introduction to Get Skills, and to register for your place, please click on the link below.
http://www.bcuadvantage.co.uk/getskillsintro
We very much hope to see you there

BCU Launches New Recruitment and Skills Development Business Support Projects

Birmingham City University — 28/01/2021

Birmingham City University have officially launched our ground-breaking programmes, the Higher Level Skills Match Extension and STEM-Up. These innovative programmes are both part-funded by the European Social Fund for the Greater Birmingham, Solihull and Staffordshire areas.

A range of help is available through the programmes, including FREE upskilling courses for individuals and businesses to access. The programmes can support businesses to access student and graduate talent, as well as helping them build their networks through a variety of events — all of which are designed to support you and your business grow and thrive.

Higher Level Skills Match Extension (HLSM) is an Account Managed recruitment and skills development service designed to offer you a tailored and personal service for your business needs.

STEM-Up delivers a series of STEM, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and Soft Skills ‘taster’ courses all designed to support you or your business with upskilling and professional development.

To discover more and to register your interest visit BCU Advantage, the business support service from Birmingham City University

China visit enhances University’s sporting links

Birmingham City University — 14/06/2016

A delegation of senior higher education leaders from Chinas Guangzhou Sport University (GSU) visited Birmingham City University this week to strengthen the ties between the two institutions.

The visit, led by GSU President Professor Huang Zihua, aimed to explore areas of collaboration in sport and exercise science, as well as media and journalism in the sporting sector.

The five members of the delegation were able to see progress on the £41 million expansion to Birmingham City Universitys City South Campus in Edgbaston, consolidating its Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences on to one site.

The space will provide teacher training and specialist facilities for health sciences including provision for research, a new lecture theatre, a multi-purpose hall, speech therapy, physiotherapy and ultrasound suites, art and technology classrooms and IT hubs.

Set to open in 2017, the expansion will also see the introduction of a wide range of new health, nutrition and biomedical science courses, including Sport and Exercise Science, Physical Education and School Sport, and Sports Therapy.

I am very glad to be in the heart of England and visiting Birmingham. Although boasting a long history, Birmingham City University is one of Britain's most modern higher learning institutions in terms of facilities and is a vibrant, multicultural institution. The University has beautiful scenery, unique architecture and rich cultural and artistic heritage which always exudes charm.
Professor Huang Zihua, President, Guangzhou Sport University

I believe there is a great potential for cooperation between Birmingham City University and GSU, and Im also hoping that our cooperation will be an in-depth one, ensuring that the fruits of a partnership will be greater.

In recent years, the Chinese sports industry has developed rapidly and Chinese football in particular is flourishing, with Guangzhou Evergrande being the first ever Chinese club to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013. As a result GSU has set up the first Football Academy in South China and, therefore, it is great for me and my team to be spending time in this famous European sports city, boasting world-renowned football clubs such as Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich.

Established in 1956, GSU is Southern Chinas only university specialised in sports that offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Situated in central Guangzhou a sister city of Birmingham it has played a leading role in higher education and scientific research across China over the past 60 years. GSU boasts 46 world champions and seven Olympic champions among its distinguished alumni.

Prior to the tour of the City South Campus on Wednesday 8 June, Professor Huang Zihua signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University. He said:

We were delighted at the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with our friends from Guangzhou and we hope that from this visit we can establish teaching and research links around our complementary offerings in sport and exercise science.

Birmingham City University is extremely proud of its close and longstanding engagement across China, including the contributions of our 2,400 Chinese alumni who now occupy senior positions in a wide range of organisations such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Jaguar Land Rover and Michael Kors.

Meanwhile, here in the UK, our 800 Chinese students enrich our campus community, while our academics work in China enhances research and teaching collaboration.

Collaboration discussions between the two institutions will continue in November this year, as GSU has invited key academics from Birmingham City Universitys School of Health Sciences to participate in their 60th anniversary celebrations in Guangzhou.

Professor John Deane, Head of School Allied and Public Health Professions, Birmingham City University said:

The University is delighted to have signed a strategic international partnership with the highly prestigious Guangzhou Sports University. This partnership has great potential to develop in a multitude of mutually beneficial ways, including research, learning and teaching, joint curriculum developments and student and staff exchanges. It will also enhance strategic alliances we are currently developing with many of the professional sports teams in the City.

While in Birmingham, the GSU delegation also spent time with Professor Philip Thicket, Head of Department for Media to learn more about how the institution trains journalists. Birmingham City University was one of the first UK universities to offer media degrees and today boasts cutting edge facilities including Europe's largest static green screen in its £62 million Parkside Building.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City University recently became one of few institutions globally to be given approval by the Chinese Government to set up a jointly run higher education institute in China.

The partnership with Wuhan Textile University will see Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art open to a new intake of 300 students in September 2016.

Explore Support- Access support to help grow your business

Birmingham City University — 01/04/2014

Birmingham City University is hosting an exhibition stand at the forthcoming UKTI event on 08 April 2014 at the Warwickshire County Cricket Club, in Edgbaston.

SMEs who are interested in finding out about BCUs business services and the regional / national funding available to support their business are welcome to meet with BCU on the day.

Or contact:

Natalie Lewis at natalie.lewis@bcu.ac.uk or call 0121 331 5677.

Trade Secretary welcomes courses to prepare businesses and policy makers for post-Brexit trade deals

Birmingham City University — 25/04/2017

A pioneering new package of courses is aiming to equip business leaders and policy makers with the skills and knowledge to forge international trade deals following Britains vote to leave the European Union.

Birmingham City University has announced the new International Trade courses and masterclasses, which will be run by staff in its Centre for Brexit Studies and have been backed by Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox.

Centre for Brexit Studies

Birmingham City University

The European Union is expected to confirm its Brexit negotiation position this weekend, which could place further importance on key officials and business leaders having the skills to negotiate trade deals outside of Europe.

The courses will be geared up to focus on the key skills and knowledge needed to negotiate trade deals across the globe, taking in the legal, business and economic factors through a combination of hands-on and theory work.

Sessions will be run on a flexible basis allowing key stakeholders, such as governmental policy advisors, business managers, export managers and local Chambers of Commerce to attend those which best suit their needs.

The courses and masterclasses have been developed to make sure Britain is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit, and ensure businesses and government officials are prepared to begin trade negotiations with partners outside of the European Single Market.

Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, said: Britain is a great, global, trading nation and so I welcome Birmingham City University's plans to offer courses on international trade.

This initiative, from the University's pioneering Centre for Brexit Studies, is a great example of an institution offering practical solutions for our future outside the European Union and the opportunities this will bring. Dr Liam Fox

The Secretary of State was in Birmingham last month to welcome the biggest ever Qatar-UK delegation to showcase high-profile UK projects and investment opportunities in areas such as sport, cyber-security and healthcare.

Courses are aimed at those who already have some experience working in business and trade management or those who have studied a business related degree.

Among the topics lined up are international transportation, choosing the best target market, tax treaties, macro-economics, exhibitions and international fairs.

Professor Graham Upton, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: We set up the Centre for Brexit Studies to take a proactive, solutions-based approach during this significant period.

Trade deals with international partners are going to be more crucial than ever, so it is absolutely vital that we provide these kind of courses and opportunities to make sure people have the skills and knowledge needed to make Brexit a success.

Free support to build your skills in data analytics

Birmingham City University — 26/05/2022

Birmingham City University (BCU) is offering a fully-funded course for businesses in the built environment, construction and property-related sectors, enabling them to improve their data analytics skills.

Organisations in the built environment, construction and property related sectors need to react to ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions. This affects their own way of working as much as the products or services they provide. The need to measure, monitor and evidence such reductions, makes good data and the skills to interpret it essential. This course gives you the opportunity to build the right data skills.

The 12 hours course, delivered by Birmingham City University (BCU), will provide an introduction to the concepts of data analytics and the use of machine learning. Led by expert trainers, you will then apply these techniques on real-life data sets.

Download Course Description

Join us if you would like to:

Learn in interactive, small groups with other professionals from your sector
Improve your skills and learn to use advanced principles of data analytics
Take your first steps to understand when and how to use machine learning
Working on real life datasets related to energy use to create comprehensive insights

Course Dates:

14/06/2022, 09:00-13:00 hours
21/06/2022, 09:00-13:00 hours
28/06/2022, 09:00-13:00 hours

Target Group:

Data Professionals / Data Analysts.
Energy Performance Professionals (retrofit, new built, renewables).
Anyone interested in understanding data analytics e.g. in a role that looks at data for analysis or monitoring purposes.
People that are responsible for driving environmental sustainability or carbon reduction plans and wish to generate better data and
insights.
People in the construction and retrofit supply chains that need to evidence energy performance of buildings, products or services.

Benefits to Business:

Fully funded course. This course would normally cost £841. Thanks to Government funding, BCU can offer this at no cost to your business
Receive a certificate for 12-hours of non-credit bearing CPD to evidence professional development.
Delivered by BCU experts that understand the latest data analysis methods and tools.
Applied learning supported by trainers to help you work through tasks.
Hybrid Course delivery: Option to join online or on campus.
Use free web based tools and ready prepared data to allow you to create your own analysis.

Eligibility

This course is offered by BCU as part of the Ecrofit project. It is fully funded by BCU and the European Regional Development Fund. To be eligible for this free course you need to confirm that you are:

A small or medium sized enterprise.
Have a registered office in the West Midlands.
Have received less than €200,000 in state aid in the preceding three years.

Once you have registered, a member of our team will be in touch with you to confirm your eligibility to attend. Alternatively, you can fill in the ERDF application form now.

Find out more about the Ecrofit project and other ways of collaborating with BCU here.

Interested in learning these skills? Register now via Eventbrite.

Birmingham City University offers brand new 'Value Propositions' Short Course

Birmingham City University — 03/10/2023

Every business needs a solid Value Proposition – a clear, concise statement of the measurable benefits that your company offers to its current and prospective customers.

A brand new dedicated Short Course delivered by Birmingham City University will enable you to uncover and identify the Value Proposition offered by your own business.

Delivered in four 4-hour sessions and costing just £75.00, BCU’s Value Proposition Short Course could provide return on investment within a very short time.

The principal modules are:

How to add value for your customer?

Exploring what it is that your customer is really building – how do you add value for them? This is linked to your business model and strengths to let you identify opportunities for growth.

Creating a Value Proposition canvas

Next by identifying who your customers are and what tasks they are trying to achieve or pain points they are trying to avoid, you can create a ‘Value Proposition Canvas’. Tell your customers exactly how you will make their pain go away and make their tasks simple.

Finding your customers ‘unknown needs’

Once you understand the needs your customers know they have, start finding the unknown needs, where your business strengths will let you surprise and delight your customers. Exploring the ‘wow’ factor to help you stand out from competitors.

Build a value discipline plan for your business

Finally, you will have the opportunity to learn how to put it all together to build a value discipline plan for your own business. You will finish the unit with a plan for the 3 to 6 months to make your business shine.

The Value Propositions Short Course will commence in November – click the link below to secure a place or request further information!

Value Propositions | Birmingham City University (bcu.ac.uk)

University pens agreement with High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute

Birmingham City University — 30/03/2017

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.

Want to make use of Digital Marketing but don't know how? A new £90 Short Course from Birmingham City University is the answer!

Birmingham City University — 16/02/2024

Online marketing techniques have become an invaluable means of winning new business, connecting with customers and establishing a brand.

Businesses are increasingly aware that having a digital marketing specialist on the payroll can offer returns out of all proportion to the outlay.

Interestingly however, despite that we live in an era with the most apparently tech-savvy workforce of all time, demand for digital skills has never been higher, while the supply of suitable talent appears short.

There is a solution! Birmingham City University (BCU) now offers a brand-new Short Course in Digital Marketing that quickly enables you or your employee(s) to deploy best-practice online business development.

Delivered in 5 instructor-led sessions and costing just £90.00 all in, everyone who completes the course will receive an official BCU Certificate of Achievement to evidence their new skills.

The course content includes:

Understanding digital marketing
Problems and things-to-avoid in online marketing
Understanding digital marketing best practice
Learning the basics of online promotional strategy for business
Understanding target-setting
Creating digital campaigns
Devising useful measurements and outcomes
Developing a 12-month digital campaign you can start immediately

For more information or to reserve a place on this very popular course, please go to the web page.

Access Masters level talent into your business with Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University — 29/10/2021

Birmingham City University is offering businesses the chance to partner with Masters students to work on projects, as part of their 20 week professional placement. You could begin work on an idea or project that you’ve been considering but not had the chance to progress. Perhaps you want to bring in new talent to work on existing projects.

We have around 100 students interested in undertaking a placement coming from a range of courses including Advanced Computer Science, Big Data Analytics, Mechanical Engineering, Project Management and Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Students will have a placement tutor to provide additional support where necessary.

Professional placements would start in late January 2022 and the matching of students to placements will take place before Christmas 2021. Previously, students worked in a variety of areas including web development, conducting market and data analyses, and working on research into specialist areas related to their degree.

To discuss your project idea and find out more information, contact David Bond, Careers+ Manager (Computing, Engineering and Built Environment) at david.bond@bcu.ac.uk by 19 November 2021. If necessary, David can also arrange for you to speak to one of the course tutors about your project idea.

Universities in the driving seat for enterprising Midlands Engine growth

Birmingham City University — 05/07/2016

Six Midlands' universities have joined forces to drive productivity and economic growth through skills, innovation and enterprise.

Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Derby, University of Lincoln and the University of Wolverhampton have collectively launched Midlands Enterprise Universities a partnership which combines their research, expertise and facilities in order to further increase growth and prosperity across the region.

The new partnership will provide the Midlands Engine with a powerful resource with which it can meet its ambitious objectives focusing on higher level skills gaps, talent pipeline needs and innovation requirements. Work will also concentrate on further developing the employability and entrepreneurship of students.

Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University said: "The government have made it clear that they see the Midlands Engine at the heart of economic growth and prosperity in this country and universities have a significant contribution to make to the skills, research and innovation that will drive this.

The creation of Midlands Enterprise Universities is a major step forward in uniting the east and west of our region and ensuring higher education institutions support increased productivity, wealth creation and job opportunities right across the Midlands.
Professor Cliff Allan

"Our collective aim is to contribute to Midlands Engine productivity and to support and stimulate innovation in the Midlands' supply chains. Combining our work with business and employers and our respective local communities positions us perfectly to provide the spark that will really kick the Engine into gear."

Sir John Peace, Chairman of Midlands Engine, said "I am pleased to see this new collaboration between the regions universities which further adds to the spirit of partnership and unity being developed across the Midlands Engine region. Their aims align closely with the Midlands Engine ambitions to support sector growth, improve productivity and boost the regions economy."

Midlands Enterprise Universities will focus on boosting the Health, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Transport Technologies, Creative Digital and Design and Agrifood and Drink industries all priorities within the Midlands Engine region. Support will concentrate on:

Improving skills through apprenticeships and work based learning alongside existing degree programmes.

Providing a talent pipeline through work experience packages tailored to employer and student needs

Delivering programmes of collaborative research and innovation support to address the development of new products, processes and services

Providing commercial services support to address skills development needs and to tackle organisation issues.

Business learners reflect on successful completion of 'Climate Literacy' Skills Bootcamp

Birmingham City University — 25/07/2023

Two learners from the Midlands business community who recently completed the 'Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures' Skills Bootcamp tell us how they plan to apply their new knowledge at work.

The first schedule of Skills Bootcamps delivered by Birmingham City University (BCU) concluded recently and were a huge success, attracting learners from a wide range of disciplines including business, industry, urban planning, architecture and the built environment.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street visited one of the sessions (see picture) to speak with learners and academics.

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and are funded by the Department for Education. Those delivered by BCU are supported by West Midlands Combined Authority.

Two of the Skills Bootcampers were Fiona Allen, Sustainability Manager at Vaultex UK and Martha McSweeney, founder of McSweeney Architecture, who both successfully completed the Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures course.

Fiona and Martha give their impressions of the inaugural Skills Bootcamps and how they plan to apply their new knowledge.

Fiona Allen, Sustainability Manager

“I work for a company called Vaultex UK, which is one of the country’s leading providers of cash processing services. Our function is to keep cash moving in society. Businesses use us to count their cash, settle their accounts and return that cash to circulation.

My job title is Sustainability Manager. I’m pretty early in my career in the sustainability space, so as soon as I spotted this course I applied for it. Shortly afterwards I received an email to say that I’d been accepted, so the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

The content that has been provided on the Skills Bootcamp has been ideal for what I need to do, because part of my job is developing a Net Zero strategy. The course has been really insightful, informative and considered, so I’m pretty much applying all aspects of it to the plan I’m working on. With what I’ve learned, I now know that my output is based on accurate science and methodology. I really want to avoid falling into the greenwashing trap!

The most useful part of the course for me has been learning about closed loop recycling and lifecycle assessments which will be very important for us. I can also see how learning these concepts would benefit people working across a variety of different sectors, so it’s definitely worthwhile.

I’d absolutely recommend the Skills Bootcamp, the content provided has been invaluable. I’ve already spoken to friends and colleagues to tell them how great the course is and not just those who work in the sustainability space. It would be really useful for everyone.

We should all be thinking about our carbon footprint – in business and industry of course, but on a personal level too. The Skills Bootcamp emphasises that climate action covers all aspects of life even if it isn’t directly relevant to your job role. It’s so important that people consider their own impact.

If we all play our part and each start acting on a small scale this will build up and have a big positive impact. We only have one planet and we need to look after it.“

Martha McSweeney, Business Owner

“I’m an architect and I have my own consultancy called McSweeney Architecture. I do a lot of briefing for large projects, particularly for the NHS, so I thought this course would be really useful to help inform that work.

I am very much looking forward to implementing what I’ve learned on this course. It will enable me to brief projects at earlier stages, which is important because sustainability in the built environment is a key topic.

Having the knowledge I’ve gained at Skills Bootcamp means that at the very beginning of an assignment I can design greater sustainability into the project because the implications will have been fully considered at the outset.

I would certainly recommend the Climate Literacy Skills Bootcamp. It offers a huge depth of information and a broad range of topics, so I think anybody who is in the business of specifying materials, working on building projects or even involved in formulating policy would get a lot out of doing the course.

Reducing our carbon footprint is one of the greatest challenges we face at this time. We can now start making some real progress towards developing strategies to reduce carbon consumption, whether that’s in our personal lives or in our places of work.“

BCU offers companies of all sizes and from all sectors a huge range of training and other business support services. The Skills Bootcamps will return later this year, so for more information or to express an early interest please contact andrew.neilson@bcu.ac.uk

Skills for the Future - STEAM Breakfast Round Table Meeting

Birmingham City University — 27/04/2016

Future proofing jobs for young people in the region

This event is aimed at:

West Midlands based employers across all sectors; engineering, manufacturing, trade, low carbon, creative, digital, training organisations etc etc
employers with Corporate/Social Responsibility CSR
employers that run their own apprenticeship schemes
employers that have identified their future workforce requires technical skills

The purpose of this event:

This is an opportunity for employers to understand current activity and to shape and be involved in developing the Future Skills work strand of Academy of Academies regional proposal

Digital Birmingham are working with Birmingham City University on their Academy of Academies bid proposal as part of the European Social Fund.

We are leading the Skills of the Future work package and working with Creative Alliance and other partners to develop the strands of activity within this, which is focused on:

growing the talent base focused on driving future cross sector skills media, creative, innovation, production and coding skills
increasing diversity (targeting deprived and excluded) NEETS & unemployed
developing employment ready programmes and pathways to transition those with talent and skills into jobs, further education, enterprise across priority growth sectors

Skills of the Future programme aims to build on current clusters of activity, to increase the technical level of skills in this area and ensure that it is matched to future jobs and opportunities.

This breakfast meeting will bring together employers and other key organisations with the aims to:

share with and get your feedback on what is being planned as part of the Skills of the Future proposed programme
understand employers and key partners needs now and in the future
explore your involvement as part of this, particularly to ensure that it aligns to employer / market needs

Through this session, we aim to better shape and strengthen the offer for young people in developing their digital talent and enabling employment / enterprise opportunities to stem from this.

Places are limited so please do confirm your attendance today.

AN AGENDA WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE SHORTLY.

For more details and to book the tickets follow this link.

Birmingham’s Eastside wins a National Award

Birmingham City University — 09/03/2017

A pioneering vision to transform the Eastside of Birmingham into a creative and cultural hub has been recognised with a major award.

The project, known as the Knowledge Hub Masterplan, was devised by students and academics at Birmingham City Universitys School of Architecture and Design led by Professor Kevin Singh and Alessandro Columbano, alongside Birmingham design firm Node.

Work on the ground-breaking blueprint helped Node scoop the Practice of the Year Award at the National Urban Design Awards, with the scheme recognised for its ingenuity and collaboration between academic and private industry partners.

Dr. Umar Daraz, Director of Innovation said The Knowledge Hub is an innovative city centre project, which is located around in the proposed HS2 terminus the development of which, marks the start of an exciting journey to build and develop a simple plan that brings together the enormous strengths of leading academic, scientific, entrepreneurial and cultural brilliance that already exists in the heart of Birmingham.

Its about connecting new developments of the Curzon and Big City Master-plan and the HS2 terminus to create a world-class innovation district, the Knowledge Hub using it to ignite the regeneration of and transform the Eastside of Birmingham.

The Knowledge Hub would incorporate Birminghams proposed HS2 station and create vast new areas of public space, enhance creativity and form a quarter which will support the citys thriving start-up scene.

It was named on a shortlist of four and came out on top to see Node named Practice of the Year for its work drawing up the plans with the University.

The Knowledge Hub will incorporate the Universitys STEAMhouse project which has been backed with a £14 million funding package from government to create a creative innovation centre in the Digbeth area.

The centre will bring together academics artists and designers in a bid support creative business and boost jobs.

Alessandro Columbano, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, said: The Eastside of Birmingham will be a key area of growth and cultural significance with the arrival of HS2 and other infrastructure projects set to take place.

The Knowledge Hub is a much-needed vision to really bring all these elements together and transform this part of the city whilst protecting the cultural assets and inspiring arts organisations located there.

Everyone involved should be delighted with this award as we look forward to developing the proposals further.

· Corporation Plaza - Includes a new shared square, a new pavilion for food and retail business start-ups, improved walking and cycling facilities and a new art wall.

· Aston Square Includes a new meeting space, new cycle storage facilities, multi-functional pavilion with café and recharging point for electric pods for use in the Knowledge Hub area.

· Jennens Park Includes cutting the carriageway from four to two lanes, creating a park and playground with a focus on health and wellbeing, installing new pedestrian routes, providing a series of pavilions and improving connections to Millennium Point and the new Birmingham Conservatoire.

· Cinema Square Includes new multi-purpose space, outdoor digital screen for films and art, exhibition space for students, and new paving and lighting linking the Eastside Park.

· Curzon Street Includes extending the Eastside Park area, priority for walkers and cyclists, and integration with Midland Metro tram extension and the new HS2 railway station.

· Eastside Locks New space for residential and student accommodation as well as business use, protection of historic buildings, links to transport and the creation of an art and lighting installation.

Nigel Wakefield, Node's managing director said: "We are delighted to have been recognised as practice of the year as we approach our sixth anniversary. In that time we have grown a sustainable, design led and commercially astute business with a diverse range of public and private sector clients across our skills of urban design, landscape and heritage.

This award will help us to continue to grow our team, both in Birmingham and around the country; and ultimately to realise our ambitious growth strategy."

Boost your exporting ambitions at our free manufacturing event

Birmingham City University — 17/11/2015

Whether you are a seasoned exporter or keen to take your first steps into business opportunities abroad, join our free one-day seminar examining how your manufacturing company can successfully win new business overseas. The event will take place on Wednesday 18 November at the Curzon Building, Birmingham.

Our Trade Boost event, sponsored by UPS and part of UK Trade and Investments Exporting is Great campaign in association with BCU Advantage, Birmingham City University, aims to help British manufacturers to better position themselves globally. There will be a chance to hear from small businesses who have successfully expanded their reach internationally, and learn more about the essentials of getting your product from A to B in a series of panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Panellists

Luis Arriaga, UK, Eire & Nordics MD, UPS

Katie Cannon, head of sales, Sugru/FormFormForm Ltd

Stewart Ferguson, head of research, China-Britain Business Council

Richard Halstead, regional director, Midlands and the east, EEF

Richard Heald, chief executive, UK India Business Council

Chair: Peter Marsh, journalist, speaker and author of The New Industrial Revolution: Consumers, Globalization and the End of Mass Production. In 2015, Peter started MadeHereNow, a website about UK manufacturing.

To register for the event, please follow the link below:

http://www.theguardian.com/trade-boost/2015/oct/21/trade-boost-manufacturing-event-free-seminar

Business incubator reopens doors

Birmingham City University — 20/05/2021

The STEAMhouse Incubator - Birmingham City University’s business incubation facility that launched in March 2020 and closed within a few days due to Covid-19 – has now reopened with reduced capacity in line with government guidance on indoor gatherings.

The facility, which is located on the ground floor of Millennium Point, aims to support students, graduates and local entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their own business.

Since the second lockdown, which began on 5 November, STEAMhouse Incubator has provided tailored online support, and has delivered more than 28 online webinars to support external clients as well as students and graduates.

All events are free of charge and open to those who are interested in the business sector.

Webinar topics have ranged from sales and marketing, pitching and selling skills, and money management to LinkedIn masterclasses, entrepreneurship and innovation, cryptocurrencies, and how to run your own business workshops.

Since the third lockdown, more than 300 people have attended these virtual events, and the incubator has taken on three new clients.

The STEAMhouse Incubator has also continued to support clients through one-to-one sessions, and is helping to identify any Covid-related grants or schemes that may be available to them, including The ReStart Grant, Kickstart and SEISS.

Programme manager Richard Scutt said: "I am very excited to be re-opening the incubator once again.

“The incubator is a fantastic co-working space with great resources and I can’t wait to see our wonderful clients back where they belong.”

To find out more about STEAMhouse Incubator visit BCU Advantage our business support service or email the team at STEAMincubator@bcu.ac.uk.

BCU Online Free Business, Leadership and Marketing Programme

Birmingham City University — 12/05/2021

Applications are open to join Birmingham City University’s (BCU) series of ‘Enterprise For Success’ business leadership and marketing strategy workshops.

For businesses looking to get a step in the right direction after lockdown Birmingham City University are offering small and medium-sized businesses free business leadership, marketing and strategy workshops throughout June.

As part of the ‘Enterprise For Success’ 4-part virtual workshop programme, Birmingham City University Business School are offering a free analysis, and personalised report highlighting your business growth opportunities and challenges.

From analysing your purpose, vision and values and creating an effective marketing campaign to learning how to think more strategically as a leader – the workshops cover a whole host of important skills and techniques when growing a successful business.

To find out more about the programme and how your local business can benefit, visit BCU Advantage our business support service or register now.

The Enterprise for Success programme is funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Uncover new talent for your business at Innovation Fest

Birmingham City University — 11/05/2022

Businesses will have the chance to engage with our creative pool of students at Innovation Fest, an annual event that opens the doors to the University's Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE) and allows you to engage and learn from new talent.

What is Innovation Fest?

Innovation Fest is set to take place on Thursday 26 May and will be one of the first events to take place at our new state-of-the-art STEAMhouse building, located in Belmont Works.

You’ll get to engage and learn from Birmingham City University students working on business-linked projects aimed at developing digital and technology-based prototypes addressing industry challenges, utilising the latest research, innovation and facilities.

The final days of Innovation Fest invites you to attend a guided tour of the festival, meet with the student exhibitors and learn more about the industry projects featured on the show floor.

How can businesses benefit from Innovation Fest?

Access to employable graduating students who will be showcasing their project ideas.
Learn from live projects in collaboration with industry, which could support your business objectives.
Engage and network with students, mentors and fellow businesses in your industry.
Discover future talent, technologies and processes for your business that you can apply.

The format of the event will include:

09:00-10.30am: Breakfast networking meeting to find out how your business can engage with the faculty, meet academics, the innovation and enterprise team, and discover the collaborative opportunities available.
10.30-11.30am: A tour of the new STEAMhouse building and student projects.
11.30-onwards: Optional opportunity to conduct on site interviews for roles. The Careers+ team can support with promoting placement/internship/graduate positions you have and coordinating interviews with interested students and graduates.

A celebration of student innovation

Innovation Fest has been running for nearly ten years and has welcomed many businesses through its doors. Each year, CEBE students celebrate and showcase their talent, showcasing innovations that can make a positive difference to businesses.

Interested in finding more? Register to attend our Innovation Fest today.

Free course launched to help build data analytics skills

Birmingham City University — 03/03/2022

Birmingham City University (BCU) has launched a fully funded course offering businesses in the built environment, construction and property-related sectors the opportunity to improve their data analytics skills.

Fully funded, interactive learning

The course, delivered by BCU’s Ecrofit research project, will take place in four-hour sessions on Tuesday 15, 22 and 29 March, from 9am to 1pm.

Led by expert trainers, the course will provide an introduction to the concepts of data analytics and the use of machine learning.

The course will be delivered online and/or in person to suit your personal commitments, and offers you the chance to:

Learn in small, interactive groups with other professionals from your sector;
Improve your skills by using advanced principles of data analytics to create comprehensive insights;
Take your first steps into the use of machine learning;
Working with real data on the energy consumption of buildings, understand the limitations and advantages of different approaches.

You will use free web-based tools, applying techniques on real-life data sets to allow you to create your own analysis.

The course is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Meeting government ambitions

The course has been created in order to assist organisations in the built environment, construction and property-related sectors in their quest to react to ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions.

It comes off the back of the introduction of a number of legislations to reduce emissions and drive environmental sustainability.

These include the Government’s Green Industrial Revolution, as well as the Green Deal – both of which pledge to make energy-saving improvements.

The course is also a timely link to the Government’s ambitions for new homes to meet the Future Homes Standard by 2025, social housing to be EPC-C rated by 2030-25, as well as the need for 27 million homes in the UK to receive retrofit interventions.

With there being a real need to measure, monitor and evidence the reductions, having the skills to interpret data will be essential.

Assisting business in identifying solutions

Upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate for 12 hours of non-credit bearing continuing professional development (CPD) to evidence professional development.

In order to be eligible, you must:

Be a small or medium-sized enterprise;
Have a registered office in the West Midlands;
Have received less than £200,000 in state aid in the preceding three years.

The CPD course is offered as part of BCU’s Ecrofit research project.

Ecrofit looks to assist businesses in identifying the most effective renewable energy and retrofit solutions, balancing requirements for low carbon emissions, cost and comfort.

The three-day courses will be offered throughout the year, offering businesses plenty of opportunities to attend and build important skills. Alternative dates can be found here.

Interested in building your data analytics skills? Register your attendance via Eventbrite.

Innovation Festival 2017

Birmingham City University — 03/05/2017

Join us at Birmingham City Universitys 4th Innovation Festival on Friday 26th May 2017.

What is Innovation Fest?

Innovation Fest is an annual celebration of creative student talent and a chance for businesses to experience for themselves the innovative solutions coming from across Birmingham City University's Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment. The student projects on display offer solutions to a wide variety of challenges in the following industries, from business information systems to cyber security, electronic engineering and games and music technology.

What does Innovation Fest aim to achieve?

Innovation Festivals founding principles are: Realise, Visualise, Collaborate

Realise: Establishing a culture of achievement for the students to participate in and businesses to recognise.
Visualise: Empowering academic outputs beyond the traditional classroom
Collaborate: The Attitude to do - by working in teams and encouraging continuous development.

Visit InnovationFest 2017 to:

-Discover a range of innovative digital and technology based project prototypes addressing real business challenges.

-Gain the opportunity to talk and network with our brightest future talent and other businesses.

-Uncover new opportunities for business and industry to engage with our students.

-Gain access to the latest Regional Observatory and West Midlands Growth Hub Tech & Digital report, being launched on the day.

How are businesses participating?

Our industry partners are a key part of Innovation Festival, and will be involved in picking the best student projects during the day to be announced at the Awards Ceremony at around 2pm. There is also the opportunity to register your interest in collaborating and working with our students for next years festival.

This is a free event open to industry, students and graduates.

Join us to discover the benefits Innovation Fest can offer both students and businesses.

More information

Hear from Arcadis, Bakkavor and more at BCU apprenticeship event

Birmingham City University — 07/02/2022

Did you know apprenticeships help improve staff loyalty, fill talent gaps and provide quality skilled employees? To celebrate this week’s National Apprenticeship week (7-13 February) Birmingham City University are hosting a live webinar on 10 February at 2-3:30pm GMT with a panel of apprentice experts to explore the big questions on how your business can get the most out of apprenticeships.

Led by Birmingham City University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Francis, attendees will hear from a variety of businesses with successful apprenticeship records including Arcadis, BBC, Bakkavor Group, Design Buro Architects, FSE Group, National Express and the NHS.

Topics being covered include:

routes to onboarding new talent
equality, diversity and inclusion in the selection process
optimisation of levy
lifelong learning and the seamless pathway to higher level skills.

The Birmingham City University event is being supported by Birmingham Metropolitan College, Solihull College and University Centre, South and City Birmingham College and the wider Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology.

To find out more and register for the event click here.

Digital Cities Birmingham 2017

Birmingham City University — 15/05/2017

Digital Cities Birmingham returns in 2017 with a new series of inspiring events across the city - many of them free - including practical hands on workshops, masterclasses and conference-style events.

Digital Cities is coming to Birmingham 12 June 2017 for a series of inspiring FREE events and roadshows across the city.

The week is a fantastic opportunity to bring together everyone working in digitally creative industries in the city, to promote cross-sector collaboration, forge new partnerships and develop your own skills.

Partners include the BBC Academy, Birmingham City University Rethink Festival, BBC Three, Fazeley Studios, Silicon Canal, Creative Skillset, Birmingham Hippodrome, The Mailbox, Google and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery amongst others.

We have a packed programme of events available to book, including practical hands on workshops, masterclasses from leading Midlands Social Media Stars, a BBC Three Showcase, talks by the experts at Fazeleys Digital Digbeth Day, a Tech Expo at The Custard Factory and a weekend of opportunities to show off your new found skills at the Hippodromes Summer in Southside event. The majority of events are free and are open to anyone working or hoping to work within the digital creative industries in Birmingham.

Tickets are likely to go fast and places are limited so go through the BBC Academy website to book your place.

Follow #DigiCities for the latest information.

University graduate secures £2 million deal with global education technology firm

Birmingham City University — 26/06/2017

A Birmingham City University graduate is celebrating after signing a seven figure deal that will see his software spread across education markets in the UK and Australasia.

CEO and co-founder of the Wambiz private social network, Harry Jawanda, studied BSc Information Technology Management for Business (ITMB) at Birmingham City University from 2005, graduating with first-class honours in 2009.

School of Computing and Digital Technology

Birmingham City University

Tribal Group plc has now acquired the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and exclusive distribution rights for Harrys social network to education markets across the UK, Australia and New Zealand in a deal worth in the region of £2 million. Tribal will also have the rights to sell the solution into Canada.

Established in 2013 by Harry with business partner Andrew West, Wambiz provide a safe means for students to connect, communicate and collaborate with peers, teachers and institutions in an engaging, yet controlled way.

With young people increasingly unresponsive to traditional communications such as texts and emails, Wambiz has the same look and feel as the social media platforms students are using every day in their personal lives. This results in greatly increased student engagement outside of the classroom, but at the same time does not blur the line between social and school life, safeguarding the professional integrity of teachers and student welfare.

The edtech start-up based at the Innovation Birmingham Campus close to Birmingham City Universitys City Centre Campus is now focused on expansion into mainland Europe and the US.

Harry Jawanda, aged 30 and from Wolverhampton, said:

I simply wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for the academic expertise and development opportunities bestowed upon me during my undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University. I certainly wasnt a techie when I started University, but the course I chose offered the flexibility to adapt to the changing demands of the business Information Technology industry and equipped me with the skills I needed to sow the seeds for my own entrepreneurial adventure.

The deal with Tribal is our largest to date and it was important for us to find a partner that understands education and could take our solution deeper into that market. We were also delighted that Tribal shared our vision of using private social networks to improve student engagement as the most natural way for students to communicate. Tribal has the resources to extend and grow this functionality in the education markets within their territories whilst allowing Wambiz to focus on the rest of the world.

The Wambiz solution will be integrated into Tribals new student information framework and is a key step in the execution of Tribals product strategy, driving a single engagement solution for students in all education markets. Tribals acquisition shows the strong commitment to both the existing Wambiz social collaboration functionality, as well as Tribals continued commitment to improving the student experience.

Tribal will support existing Wambiz education customers and all the existing Wambiz applications. Likewise, current Tribal customers using the solution marketed as ontrack buzz will experience no difference.

Barbara Staruk, Managing Director Product and Development, Tribal declared:

We are excited to have formalised our relationship with Wambiz and have the opportunity to fully integrate the Wambiz solution into our new Student Information framework. We welcome all of Wambizs education customers to Tribals extensive customer community and will look to provide them with exceptional support and even more innovative solutions as we move forward.

Our agreement allows us to embed and extend the functionality and this will be made available as a module in our new Student Information framework. This enhances our current market-leading Student Information systems and also makes it available to institutions that do not have Tribal software.

Discover the future talent’s digital and technological solutions to your business challenges.

Birmingham City University — 03/05/2019

What is Innovation Fest?

Innovation Fest is an event offering businesses the opportunity to experience the creative talent emerging from Birmingham City University’s faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

As part of their studies, Birmingham City University students are encouraged to work on business-linked projects aimed at developing digital and technology-based prototypes addressing industry challenges, utilising the latest research, innovation and facilities.

The final day of Innovation Fest invites businesses (31 May) to attend a guided tour of the festival, meet with the student exhibitors and learn more about the industry projects featured on the show floor.

How can businesses benefit from Innovation Fest?

Access over 400 graduating students who will be showcasing their project ideas.
Learn from live projects in collaboration with industry, which could support your business objectives.
Engage and network with students, mentors and fellow businesses in your industry.
Discover future talent, technologies and processes for your business.

When and where?

Innovation Fest will be held on the 31 May at Millennium Point. Businesses will be able to find and discover emerging talent on the 31 May date. Sign up for free for the opportunity to meet your future talent needs.

How can businesses be part of Innovation Fest 2018?

Businesses can access the latest student talent by offering their own business challenges as projects, or even participating in the judging process.

Schedule for the day: Knowledge Transfer Tour and accessing next-generation talent - 31 May

The 31 May event for businesses consist of two separate tours:

A focused knowledge transfer session to connect with university expertise and their industry and research projects.
Meeting with an enthusiastic community of learners and mentors and experts. Work with us to influence and foster talent for our regions.

Throughout the day you'll have the opportunity to:

Discuss opportunities to establish relationships with BCUs Faculty of CEBE.
Incubate Projects through our Mentored Projects.
Short and long term placements

Sign up to attend >>

Time	Event
From 9:30am	Welcome drinks (tea/coffee)
9:30 - 10:00	Knowledge and Innovation update.
10:00 - 10:30	Guided tour of computing graduate expo
10:30 - 11:00	Discussion and opportunities with knowledge transfers project and graduate jobs
11:00 - 11:30	CEBE Enterprise break time (networking)
11:30 - 12:00	Latest updates on graduate employment and recruitment
12pm	Guided tour of Innovation Fest

The BCU Magnesium Symposium 2017

Birmingham City University — 19/06/2017

You are invited to

The BCU Magnesium Symposium 2017

At 1.8g/cm³, magnesium is the lightest of all structural materials. Magnesium is lightweight, strong, safe, affordable and 100% recyclable.

This exciting symposium will be looking at the importance of magnesium within the manufacturing sector showcasing it as an alternative material, especially for car manufacturers and the aerospace industry in terms of light weighting, fuel efficiency and the circular economy.

Hear why magnesium should be used for the next generation of vehicles and aircraft
Discover how safe magnesium is as we dispel the myths around its burning reputation
Learn about the magnesium research and development findings of Birmingham City University's industry collaborations with Meridian Lightweight Technologies UK
Understand how a magnesium R&D collaboration with the University could benefit your business and change the future of your product design

Event programme

12.30pm: Registration, lunch and networking

1.30pm: Welcome from Birmingham City University

1:40pm: Meridian Lightweight Technologies UK

2:00pm: Keynote speeches:

a. High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute (HSSMI)

b. International Magnesium Association (IMA)

c. Forum for the Future (FF)

3:00pm: Tea & coffee break

3:20pm: Birmingham City University academic keynotes x 3

4:20pm: Panel Q&A & discussion (Meridian, BCU, HSSMI, IMA, FF)

4:50pm: Networking - canapes and drinks

5:30pm: Close

Background and partnerships

The BCU Magnesium Symposium 2017 represents an exclusive partnership between Birmingham City University and Meridian Lightweight Technologies UK the worlds largest producer of magnesium die cast components. The strategic alliance has seen the two organisations working together in the education, research and development of magnesium use, whilst placing fuel efficiency through weight savings and sustainability at its core.

Other partners involved in the collaborative partnership include the International Magnesium Association (IMA), The High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute (HSSMI) and Forum for the Future all of whom will be at the symposium to share their current thinking around the utilisation of magnesium.

Birmingham City University's research

The BCU Magnesium Symposium 2017 will act as an introduction to the research our academics and business partners have been working on. For more information on this, please find links below to abstracts highlighting just some of the work we've been doing around magnesium and the benefits it holds.

- Why Magnesium?

-Towards the Improvement of Magnesium Alloys

-Magnesium in the Automotive and Aerospace Industries

-Attitudes on Magnesium Alloys

-The Viability of Using Magnesium Alloys

-Potential Growth in the Global Magnesium Industry

-Supporting Women in Engineering

-Fuel Consumption and Carbon Emissions

-A Testbed Platform for UVA Emergency Deployment

-Downtime Solutions to High Pressure Die Casts Exchange

-Vulnerability and Innovation

- Magnesium Alloy Die Casting Process

- Magnesium Space Frame Structure for Mainstream Road Cars

Want to have your say on attitudes to magnesium? Participate in our research survey.

For more information - http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/magnesium

University EU research funding boosts Birmingham’s economy and supports jobs

Birmingham City University — 14/06/2016

Universities in Birmingham received £26.7 million of research funding from EU sources in the year 2014/15.

Nationally, UK universities attracted over £836 million in research grants and contracts from EU sources, of which the majority comes from EU government sources.

Universities are benefiting from EU research support to work on vital projects, with the potential to change the way we live. For example, the Daphne Street-to-Home project at Birmingham City University investigated the lack of an integrated approach to housing and on-going social support for women at highest risk of being victims of violence.

The project was based on the belief that women who wish to escape the threat of violence require access to safe and affordable accommodation and accompanying social support in a new environment. With support from the EU, the project established an evidence base to help policy makers and practitioners link housing with social support for vulnerable women more effectively, and established guidelines for delivering this service, informed by women who have been affected by these issues.

New Universities UK analysis looking at the latest data for 2014/15 showed that EU research funding generates 1,202 jobs, £108.2 million for the economy and contributed £63.9 million to GDP across the West Midlands.

The analysis which is based on 2014/15 data looked at the direct impact of this EU research funding to universities, as well as the knock on impact on jobs and growth in the wider economy.

The analysis found that:

Inside the university sector, EU funding supported 601 direct jobs in the West Midlands,£47.9million in economic output and a contribution of £34.2million to GDP

In industries outside the university sector, EU research funding to universities in the West Midlands generated 465 full-time-equivalent jobs, £45.5 million of output and a contribution of £22.3 million to GDP.

The three industries in the West Midlands that benefited most from this knock-on impact were: business activities (contributed £4.64m to GDP); wholesale and retail trade (contributed £4.23m to GDP); and manufacturing (contributed £4.07m to GDP)

Nationally, EU research funding generates over 19,000 jobs across the UK, £1.86 billion for the UK economy and contributes over £1 billion to GDP, according to new figures published today.

Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, said: EU research funding helps our universities to thrive, enabling UK researchers to collaborate with the best minds from across the EU in order to tackle global problems, from cancer to climate change.

What is clear from this new analysis is that this EU funding also benefits the UK economy, boosting growth and creating jobs both directly and indirectly in a range of sectors in all corners of the UK.

EU support goes far beyond money. It also provides irreplaceable networks and frameworks which enable our researchers to have a genuine impact on society by pursuing breakthroughs, discoveries and inventions which improve our lives.

Jo Johnson MP said: Our membership of the EU plays a big part in supporting our success as a knowledge economy, not only in terms of funding, but also in terms of valuable academic collaborations and access to shared research facilities. Britain is an innovation powerhouse and we must do everything we can to maintain that position. As this new data shows, the EU helps to facilitate ground-breaking research, create jobs and strengthen our position as a global innovation leader.

Birmingham City University is at the Backing Britain 3.0 Expo 2022

Birmingham City University — 21/04/2022

Birmingham City University are exhibiting at the the Backing Britain 3.0 Expo in April 2022.

The hybrid exhibition is set to welcome thousands of visitors to the 3D virtual environment, which will continue to run for the entire year after the event takes place after 26th-28th April. It will also see three in-person events connecting 300+ manufacturers with talks from industry leaders and celebrity guests.

Our team will also be attending the physical events in Walsall (26th April) and Derby (27th April). Come and speak to us about how our award-winning knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) are helping businesses improve their products, services and performance; or find out about how we're working in partnership with other regional organisation to support businesses to upskill their workforce or recruit new staff through.

Interested in finding out how BCU can support you in solving your business challenges? Contact our business support platform, BCU Advantage, to find out more.

Birmingham City University appoints new Vice-Chancellor

Birmingham City University — 25/04/2017

Birmingham City University has appointed Professor Philip Plowden as Vice-Chancellor to take the institution into the next phase of its development.

Professor Plowden has served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby for the last four years, where he delivered a step-change in academic quality with the institutions league table position rising from 91st to 48th.

Professor Plowden is a qualified solicitor and barrister, as well as a National Teaching Fellow.

Commenting ahead of taking up the role at Birmingham City University on 1 September 2017, Professor Plowden said: Im delighted to have the chance to lead Birmingham City University at such an incredibly exciting stage in its history. It is a university that has a world-class campus at the very heart one of the countrys great cities, while its Edgbaston campus is about to open superb new sport and life sciences facilities.

It is a great privilege to be offered the opportunity to lead an institution at the heart of such a vibrant city. Birmingham is undergoing a massive transformation, with a young and dynamic population attracted by the presence of major global businesses, a burgeoning creative sector, and significant infrastructure developments such as HS2. Professor Philip Plowden

I look forward to helping the University continue to develop its enormous potential, offering students even more opportunities to transform their lives."

Announcing the appointment, Chair of the Board of Governors at Birmingham City University Mark Hopton, FCA, said: Im delighted to have secured the appointment of Professor Philip Plowden, who headed a strong field of candidates. Philip has a superb track-record of improving the quality of teaching and learning for students, and building a universitys reputation.

He has overseen an impressive rise in the standings of his current institution and has a strong understanding of Higher Education and the opportunities and challenges presented.

Professor Philip Plowden added: I look forward to working with staff, students, businesses, the community and public sector organisations to make sure we support the growth of the city, region, and the country, producing graduates with the skills and talent to thrive.

Exploring Data Beyond BIM

Birmingham City University — 17/10/2017

This conference looks at the current use of data in the context of 3D design and BIM to take the next steps towards BIM Level 3 (Digital Built Britain). This represents the move towards the operational phase of the building and the growing world of sensor capture. This includes the use and ultimately the storage of big data to predict a building's reaction to the weather and use.

Data has changed professional practices significantly over the past decade. The Internet of Things (IoT) has started to produce vast quantities of data that allow us to measure and monitor how buildings live and breathe in real-time. This opens up major opportunities to understand how we use BIM and implement PAS 3.

As a small buildings dataset grows, is the use of spreadsheets a realistic approach to save sensor data? Given the life of most domestic houses of 120 years or more, this is increasingly becoming an area of interest. Add several houses together as part of a network or mesh, and spreadsheet use is simply inefficient and open to loss even when stored within the cloud.

This event specifically addresses your questions about:

How sensor data can benefit building design and management
Challenges of adding sensors to designs e.g. providing accurate instructions to suppliers to put a sensor in place
How to collect, collate and understand sensor data and add value with the addition of external data sets

This event will provide top level industry insight, the opportunity for interaction and getting your questions answered; and practical learning in workshop sessions. REGISTER

Draft Agenda

Facilitated and organised by Prof. Stephen Scaysbrook MCIAT, ACIOB

12:00 pm Lunch Registration

13:00 pm Opening keynote - Major Architectural Practice (to be confirmed )

13:30 pm Cisco: Presentation re IoT infrastructure and Q&A

14:30 pm Break and Coffee

14:50 pm Google: Presentation re data use and tools available; Q&A

16:15 pm Break and Coffee

16:30 pm Workshops: parallel tracks

17:30 pm Conclusions and observations of the day

Improve your competitiveness and productivity with expert university support

Birmingham City University — 27/09/2022

A knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) will expose you to expert academic and high-calibre student/graduate support, as well as university-level technology and skills, to explore new opportunities, develop exciting products and stand out from the crowd. Looking to build a competitive edge? Access key support from Birmingham City University (BCU), who have helped over 100 of our members to upskill and innovate.

Build skills, develop products and enhance your business

BCU are a Made in the Midlands (MIM) patron and have been helping manufacturing businesses within the MIM community for over a decade. As one of the key founders of the MIM group, they have built long-term and effective partnerships and collaborations with a wide range of MIM members.

Businesses collaborate with BCU through a variety of programmes and services, with KTPs being a particularly popular option – currently, the University is number one in the region for volume of KTPs currently in progress.

A KTP allows businesses to learn the latest research and industry developments. It sees the business receive support from both an academic and a graduate/postgraduate (known as a KTP associate), the latter of which will work with the business full time.

Typically lasting between 18 to 36 months, businesses receive full support from BCU throughout the project’s duration. Businesses receive part funding from Innovate UK, with the remaining project costs funded by the business.

A KTP can provide a host of benefits, namely:

New skills to deliver research and development activities, as well as new knowledge and expertise to embed into the business.
Increase in revenue and profits through access to new markets, new product development, and increased productivity and processes.
Access to strategic guidance from a dedicated team of business specialists, academic expertise, resources and facilities.

“We help MIM members by truly understanding the skills they require from a KTP,” explains Natalie Lewis, Head of Knowledge Transfer and Business Engagement at BCU.

“We tend to work with businesses when they have problems that need addressing, we find the ideal candidate to work with them and this usually results in the company gaining real value from the KTP and their skills.”

Award-winning, long-term success and support

BCU’s KTPs have resulted in national acclaim and recognition for the businesses taking part. The University’s work with SBS Insurance Service – which introduced the company to 3D printing technology – won an Innovate UK KTP Best of the Best Award, as well as the Business Impact accolade at the Knowledge Transfer Network.

Long-standing MIM member Malthouse Engineering have built a highly rewarding relationship with the University, working with them on five different KTPs, resulting in the long-term employment of several graduates and the acquisition of both new knowledge and technology.

“We chose to work with BCU on KTPs due to their enthusiasm and their openness to suggestions,” says Roy Taylor, Managing Director at Malthouse.

“It is important when taking on a large project like KTPs that you can be open and honest with your contact, and with BCU you can.”

Access expertise and exciting new facilities

Working with BCU also enables you to access some of the University’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its new business innovation centre, STEAMhouse.

The five-storey facility, located in Belmont, offers:

Dedicated facilities for learning, prototyping, co-working, workshops, events and production space
Shared office space and facilities for startup and small businesses, as well as office space for businesses to rent
State-of-the-art production space and workshops, as well as meeting rooms and event space
A large garden roof terrace with a stunning view of Birmingham.

Want to see this amazing new facility for yourselves? Take a tour of the new STEAMhouse facility, as well as network with BCU representatives and MIM members, at our Backing Britain Breakfast Morning on Wednesday 23 November at 9am.

The event is free to attend, and office space is available after the event for guests to stay and work.

Interested in finding out more about how a KTP can benefit you? Contact natalie.lewis@bcu.ac.uk

UK election unlikely to impact Brexit negotiation says expert ahead of Madrid visit

Birmingham City University — 25/04/2017

The head of the UKs first Centre for Brexit Studies believes the countrys snap general election will make no difference to its Brexit negotiation position and that Gibraltar remains a problematic issue ahead of talks.

Speaking before a visit to Madrid next week (April 24-26) Professor Alex de Ruyter, Director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University, said the likelihood of a Conservative victory in the election meant Britains bargaining position was unlikely to change.

Centre for Brexit Studies

Birmingham City University

Professor de Ruyter, who will be in Madrid for a British Council event, also believes that the status of Gibraltar is likely to prove a sticking point in negotiations.

He said: Barring an outcome such as a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition, possibly supported by the Scottish National Party which current polls suggest is extremely unlikely there will be no change in the UKs approach to Brexit negotiations, or relative bargaining position.

For the EU, the most pressing concerns will be the outcome of the French Presidential elections in May in which two candidates have expressed anti-EU views, and then German elections later in the year.

What will be more interesting will be the regional breakdown of the vote in the UK, particularly with Scotland and Northern Ireland. Both of these recorded strong remain votes in the 2016 referendum and a repeat performance for Remain parties will only serve to increase tensions within the UK.

The status of Gibraltar is particularly problematic for negotiations, with Spain effectively being given a veto over access to any deal between the UK and the EU for Gibraltar if the Spanish government is not satisfied with sovereignty arrangements over Gibraltar. Professor Alex de Ruyter

Similarly, the Spanish government dropping objections to an independent Scotland being allowed to apply to join the EU, and the EU insistence on no hard border between the UK and Ireland have also served to cloud the UKs negotiating position.

The Centre for Brexit Studies is already carrying out research into how Britains vote to leave the European Union will impact Gibraltar.

Research will examine how Brexit will effect links between defence organisations of different countries and avoid Gibraltar becoming a security risk - particularly in relation to illegal immigration, and drug and human trafficking from North Africa to Spain.

FREE Award-Winning Training from Birmingham City University: Data Analytics for Sustainability

Birmingham City University — 22/03/2023

The Ecrofit programme from Birmingham City University is an award-winning initiative that delivers technical assistance and training for businesses that provide construction, installation and building services linked to energy efficiency.

Ecrofit offers eligible SMEs an intensive short-term CPD training course covering a full range of data analysis methods, enabling the retrieval of actionable insights from energy assessments. Training is delivered online and consists of three sessions, each lasting four hours and delivered once a week. Every learner who completes the course will be awarded an official Certificate of Achievement.

There are now just three courses left before the programme ends in June. These are FREE to eligible companies and begin on 6^th April, 4^th May and 1^st June.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to upskill an employee in this vital, sought-after field of expertise.

For more information or to register, simply visit https://ecrofit.co.uk/continuous-professional-development-for-smes/

New racing car programme to address skills shortage

Birmingham City University — 23/01/2015

A group of students from Birmingham City University are proving they are quick off the starting blocks as they set about transforming a small domestic car into a racing car.

The budding engineers from the Universitys School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems are working with Scandinavias largest race car manufacturer, Aquila Racing Cars, to learn first-hand the skills required to put them in pole position for when they graduate into the professional motorsport industry.

The new training programme, dubbed The Synergy, will help students to develop a range of practical engineering skills involved in the design and build of a lightweight and fuel efficient single seat race car.

Parmjit Chima, Head of Birmingham City Universitys School of Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Systems, said: This real-world project is teaching our students many aspects associated with motorsports and STEM in just one vehicle! It provides a unique real hands-on experience for all our motorsport students as they tackle the project to build a race car from scratch.

The Aquila Synergy car kit is now being offered out to other schools, colleges and universities across the UK to assist in the teaching of STEM subjects.

This is an inspirational project for budding future engineers of all levels, whether they are at school or university, who will ensure the continued growth and success of the industry in the UK.

According to a recent report published by Engineering UK, 1.82 million engineers will be required between 2012 and 2022. If not enough young people train to be engineers, the UK economy will potentially miss out on £27 billion per year from 2022.

For more information, please contact:

Birmingham City University
Millennium Point
Curzon Street
Birmingham
B4 7XG
Tel: +44 121 331 5400
Web: www.bcu.ac.uk/computing-engineering-and-the-built-environment

STEAMhouse launches new website and innovation services

Birmingham City University — 19/08/2021

Birmingham City University’s centre for collaborative innovation, STEAMhouse has launched a new website and business support services designed to help you solve problems and create new products and services.

Since 2018, the first phase of STEAMhouse has already supported nearly 300 organisations in the Midlands to develop their business. Over 90 innovative new products have been created and 40+ new research collaborations have been established with Birmingham City University academics.

The new STEAMhouse website showcases a range of services designed to support a variety of enterprises from across sectors to overcome product, service and business challenges, and develop new solutions in response. Their new services are offered across three themes:

Support to Startup and Grow

To support startups and growing businesses STEAMhouse offers the STEAM Incubator and their ERDF-funded Prototyping Programme. Both services are designed to give early-stage businesses and entrepreneurial individuals the space, equipment and expertise they need to establish sustainable businesses and build viable new ideas quickly.

Support to Innovate

Designed for SME’s, large businesses, and the public sector, Support to Innovate services include:

Adapt and Diversify - customisable strategic innovation support created to help you anticipate future trends and develop an action plan for your business that meets the needs of changing markets.
Collaborate for Impact - designed to help public sector organisations re-orientate around what people need, and deliver on it. The team will help you build capability to ensure you continually improve products or services, making them more effective and sustainable.
AR/VR Discovery - A showcase service to help you find out how extended reality technologies are transforming your industry. You will explore how AR and VR can solve your problems, increase efficiency and inspire creativity in your business.
Paper to Prototype - Paper to Prototype supports enterprises to develop new products and services that meet the needs of fast-changing markets by accessing design and development expertise. The STEAMhouse team and production space will help you move quickly from ideas to market validated, production-ready solutions.
Support to Learn - Short courses designed to help you achieve your personal and professional development goals. Participants will acquire the practical skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changes in their industry or career.

To find out more about how STEAMhouse can support your business, email our team here.

Visit the new STEAMhouse website here.

STEAMLab 2

Birmingham City University — 12/06/2017

If youre interested in the ever-expanding, fast-growing world of virtual reality (VR) and how it can aid your business, our latest STEAMlab workshop will help you discover innovative ideas and creative solutions.

As part of the Hello Culture 2017 event, STEAMlab #2 focuses on all things VR, a rapidly evolving market within areas as diverse as health, manufacturing and product development. With major brands such as Samsung, Google and Occulus offering affordable headsets, there are now a range of real social and commercial opportunities through using VR.

If you an SME, sole trader or micro business looking to enhance your products, our workshop led by BBC Spaces Claire Hutchinson and Simon Poulter from Collusion, among others will provide you with cutting-edge skills, up-to-date knowledge and innovative solutions, whether you are an artist, academic, coder, developer, engineer or scientist. Any ideas developed during the workshop may be considered for an innovation grant of up to £2,500, as well as ongoing product and/or business support and advice.

VR has evolved from the gaming industry and is now able to create unique, immersive virtual environments, creating emotional and interactive experiences that can be applied to entertainment, teaching and learning, manufacturing, health and therapy.

If you have an interest and willingness to work in cooperation with individuals within an open collaborative format then we want to hear from you!

To take part you will need to sign up by completing a short form contact us for more information and application form: steamhouse@bcu.ac.uk

Eligibility

STEAMhouse is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. To qualify to access the FREE workshops you will need to meet the following criteria:

Willing to share ideas

Must be available during the published workshop dates (workshop and conference)

Be considered as a business / enterprise - sole trader, micro business, SME (employing fewer than 250 FTE people). (Note: state aid rules may limit the type of businesses that may be supported).

Based within the GBS LEP region - Birmingham, Solihull, North Worcs and South Staffs.

STEAMHOUSE

STEAMhouse is a new centre of excellence informed by global trends across culture, society, technology, politics, and the economy to stimulate, surprise, engage and enlighten.

STEAMlab is part of STEAMhouse Phase 1, a creative innovation centre in Digbeth with the aim of brokering collaborative relationships between businesses, academics, arts and creative industries to support innovation and prototyping activity for social and economic benefit. The centre will demonstrate how arts and creativity can be combined with STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) to drive innovation, skills, research, and economic growth.

Connecting arts into STEM subject areas, STEAMhouse Phase 1 will provide support to SMEs and new enterprises from the GBSLEP region of Birmingham, Solihull, North Worcs and South Staffs to develop new products and services through workshops, grants, and research cooperations with academics from the university.

STEAMhouse http://www.bcu.ac.uk/business/steam/steamhouse

Rooftop milestone for £41 million university building

Birmingham City University — 08/05/2017

A £41 million university building in Birmingham has taken a major step forward as the finishing touches have been made to the development.

Contractor BAM and local stakeholders were joined by staff and students from Birmingham City University at the institutions new Health Sciences and Education building to mark the traditional topping out ceremony and celebrate a key milestone in the delivery of the facility.

The 10,500m² extension on Westbourne Road in Edgbaston forms part of the Universitys City South Campus.

The new development, set to open in 2018, will also enable the relocation of the Universitys School of Education, consolidating the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences on to one site.

Designed by architects Sheppard Robson, the building will help reinforce Birmingham City University's status as the regions largest provider of qualified health and social care professionals to the NHS and producer of more teachers than any other institution in the West Midlands.

The space will offer teacher training and specialist facilities for health sciences including provision for research, a new lecture theatre, a multi-purpose hall, speech therapy, physiotherapy and ultrasound suites, art and technology classrooms and IT hubs.

Speaking at the topping out ceremony on Thursday 4 May, Professor Graham Upton, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, said: Today marks an exciting new chapter in the Universitys long and proud history. Not only will this new building allow us to strengthen our existing education teaching and research programmes, we will also be offering a wide range of new health, nutrition and biomedical science courses.

The new Health Sciences and Education building offers students and staff the highest quality facilities available to ensure that we are best equipped to provide for the next generation of public health and education professionals in the West Midlands. Professor Graham Upton

The new building also strengthens our student experience and University community by allowing us to house our health and education offerings on one site for the first time. In doing so, we are creating a significant hub for our public service contracts and professional development provision in Edgbaston, offering more consistent support services and facilities for both students and staff.

The building forms part of the Universitys £260 million investment into new state-of-the-art facilities which will be strengthened with the opening of the new £57 million Birmingham Conservatoire later this year.

As part of the City South Campus extension, students from the Universitys Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment have been working alongside BAM to gain real-life experience of working in the construction industry, by putting the theory learned in the classroom into practice.

Colin Harper, BAM Project Manager, said: "This could be Birmingham's most advanced construction scheme. Our sector is undergoing a quiet technical revolution. Digital techniques are helping us and our supply chain deliver both the speed and quality we need for complex modern buildings, like this one for Birmingham City University.

It is especially pleasing this is happening on a higher education project, thus demonstrating the future to our next generation of construction professionals. Even more impressive is the depth of understanding we have formed with our client. Whatever the technology, strong partnerships are always the secret behind successful construction.

BAM currently employs 160 people at the Edgbaston site, with 80 per cent coming from the West Midlands.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street visits Climate Literacy Skills Bootcamp at Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University — 16/03/2023

A new Skills Bootcamp designed to help employees in the West Midlands incorporate climate literacy practices into their everyday working lives has been launched in Birmingham.

The Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures Skills Bootcamp, backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and delivered by Birmingham School of Architecture and Design (BSoAD) at Birmingham City University aims to assist learners in developing a full understanding of sustainable strategies together with sought-after, sector-specific skills and their application in a real work context.

The free Skills Bootcamp has so far been attended by industry specialists from a wide range of disciplines who all wish to introduce pioneering environmental and sustainable methodology into their existing skillsets.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, recently took the opportunity to visit BCU to speak to students and staff associated with the course.

The Mayor said “The UK government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, which means there’s a clear and pressing need to develop talent across a wide range of industry sectors that is truly climate literate and well placed to effect change in their workplaces.

“Given our region’s own #WM2041 net zero commitment, it’s great to see good take-up on WMCA-backed Skills Bootcamps.

“Speaking to all the learners and lecturers, it’s clear that everyone is playing their part as we seek to reduce our carbon footprint and tackle the climate emergency together.”

One participant on the course is Fiona Allen, who works as a Sustainability Manager and has joined the course to further her learning in recycling methodologies.

She said, "I’m currently working on a net zero strategy in my full-time role so the course has been really insightful and informative in helping to ensure I can apply climate literacy practices into the project I’m working on.

“We only have one planet so we need to look after it. Seeing participants from across different sectors on this course taking on the methods we are being taught and thinking about how they can make their work more sustainable is very inspiring.”

Professor Julian Beer, deputy vice-chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise) at Birmingham City University, said: “We're delighted to host the Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures Skills Bootcamp here at Birmingham City University.

“As the University for Birmingham, it is vital that we play our part in driving sustainability and net zero initiatives right across the city and region. The Skills Bootcamp does just that, empowering businesses and employees across a range of industries to take action to help address the climate emergency.”

Dr Jemma Browne, Head of School at Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, said "At BSoAD one of our core aims is to engage with the city to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis and we're delighted to have been able to work with the WMCA to be able to deliver this course to highlight that message.

“Our real aim was to make sure that the learners that came on the Skills Bootcamp went away with the skills, knowledge and attributes to help impact change within their workplace and in their everyday practice.

Cllr George Duggins, WMCA portfolio lead for skills and productivity and leader of Coventry City Council said: "Climate Change can be an overwhelming topic and informing yourself is such an important first step. I would urge anyone who would like to upskill and broaden their knowledge of how they can integrate best practices into their current role to go online and find out more."

Join Michelle Mone OBE as she launches BCU Advantage at Birmingham business networking event

Birmingham City University — 02/11/2015

Wednesday 4th November 2015, 6pm-8:30pm

If youre an entrepreneur, start-up, SME or large corporate business, this is an evening you cannot afford to miss. BCU Advantage is the new business growth service from Birmingham City University. We invite you to join us at our launch and business networking event where we will open the doors to our brand new Curzon Building, reveal BCU Advantage and celebrate with keynote speaker, leading entrepreneur and business woman Michelle Mone OBE.

This informal evening will not only give you the opportunity to network with Michelle and other local entrepreneurs and businesses, we hope it will also inspire you to push forward in your own business as Michelle talks about her rise to success and how her entrepreneurial spirit, drive to never give up and support from a local university collectively helped her achieve success. You will also discover how BCU Advantage can help your business: Get Money, Get Knowledge and Get Connected.

Invitations are free. Discover more and register now at http://bcuadvantage.co.uk

Experts reveal how election result will impact Brexit outcome

Birmingham City University — 06/06/2017

Brexit experts have turned the spotlight on the UK general election to examine how the result of Thursdays vote is likely to impact Britains exit from the European Union.

Academics at Birmingham City Universitys Centre for Brexit Studies have created an infographic detailing what we can expect to see from Brexit negotiations based on six potential outcomes from the election.

Centre for Brexit Studies

Birmingham City University

View the Centre for Brexit Studies General Election 2017 infographic.

The image explores the differences we can expect to see in negotiations, and eventual Brexit, if the election results in a:

Conservative landslide victory
Conservative majority
Conservative minority
Conservative-led coalition
Labour majority
Labour-led coalition

Professor Alex de Ruyter, Head of Birmingham City Universitys Centre for Brexit Studies, said: Brexit is likely to play a key role in how this election pans out, and Theresa May herself has cited it as the main reason for calling the election in the first place.

What we know is that many of the political parties have vastly different views on Brexit and would take differing approaches into the negotiations with the European Union. Professor Alex de Ruyter

What we wanted to do, was look at how some of the most likely outcomes of the vote would impact on what kind of Brexit we see and how that will influence trade, immigration and the future political landscape in Britain.

The Centre for Brexit Studies was set up to further enhance understanding of the consequences of the UK withdrawing from the European Union.

It promotes engagement of both Leave and Remain standpoints, whilst providing collaborative opportunities with businesses, professional organisations and civil society.

Accessible to the general public, the Centre hosts conferences, workshops and seminars to share knowledge in relation to sectors expected to be impacted by Brexit, including cultural identity, hate crime and radicalisation, climate change and national security.

Only one week to go! Manufacturing Business Recovery Webinar Announced by GBSIoT

Birmingham City University — 22/09/2020

It's only one week to go until the second webinar in the Business Recovery series from Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT)* which will take place on the morning of Tuesday 29 September 2020 at 10:00am.

The Business Recovery webinar series is being produced by Birmingham City University (BCU) on behalf of GBSIoT and delivered in conjunction with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and Made in the Midlands.

The aim of GBSIoT is to support performance of manufacturing businesses and their supply chain to meet their customer demand and maintain business through the current economic environment.

The one-hour webinar entitled Innovation And Skills: How To Adapt For The Future, will be hosted by Paul Faulkner – Chief Executive at GBCC. It will bring together manufacturing industry leaders to explore key issues for manufacturing businesses as they seek to recover and grow.

The webinar will include speakers from FANUC UK, Envisage Group Ltd, Salts Healthcare, Alucast Ltd and the Advanced Services Group (Aston University).

Topics to be explored include:

Industry 4.0- Adoption of automation to maintain productivity through testing times
The changing landscape of engineering roles and disciplines and how technology is attracting a new diverse workforce.
Managing Learning and Development to meet the present and future challenges on business
How to optimise outcomes from a higher education partnership

To discover more and to register your place visit BCU Advantage, the business support service from Birmingham City University

*The GBSIoT is an engineering education organisation formed by Aston University, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Metropolitan College, Solihull College and University Centre, South and City College Birmingham, University College Birmingham and the University of Birmingham. The GBSIoT is financially backed by the Department for Education and guided by a board formed from leading West Midlands engineering employers.

BCU reveals why it is sponsoring the Business of the Year category for the Birmingham Post Business Awards 2017

Birmingham City University — 26/06/2017

Birmingham City University has an inspiring reason for sponsoring this award at BPBA 2017

Birmingham City University is proud to sponsor this years Business Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Birmingham Post Business Awards because it is committed to developing the commercial talent of its students for the future.

Dr Dawn Albery, Head of BCUs Business School, told how their courses ensure almost 100 per cent of students are able to make important next steps in their careers within six months of completion.

The university believes this is aided by a successful combination of innovative teaching and learning; sector-led student support; and effective partnerships with some of the countrys leading employers.

Dr Albery said: At Birmingham City Business School we are focused on creating the entrepreneurs of the future, so it made complete sense for us to support this fantastic award which rewards the innovators and creative thinkers of business.
In a rapidly changing world facing new and complex challenges every day, we need to establish the environment for entrepreneurs to meet those challenges thats why we focus on providing our students with the critical building blocks they need to be successful entrepreneurs, business managers and leaders of the future.

BCUs commitment to developing graduates with the skills and experience employers need, means that 94 per cent of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (see DLHE survey 2014/15).

The University focuses on practice-led, knowledge-based learning, providing students with access to cutting-edge facilities and real-world experience.

The University and Business School benefits from almost 40 professional accreditations and has a well-established reputation for delivering in-company training, education and executive development programmes.

As category sponsors BCU will be on the judging panel to decide who is shortlisted and ultimately wins.

Were looking forward to seeing the nominations and some of the outstanding work thats going on here in Birmingham where theres such a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Dr Albery added.

BCU is undergoing a £260 million investment programme which includes a new Conservatoire for music students at its City Centre Campus and a new teaching block for education, sport and life science courses at the City South Campus which should be completed during the next academic year (2017/18).

Business facilities are also being developed.

The work is taking place as Birmingham city centres regeneration continues.

Dr Albery said: There are so many exciting developments in the city at the moment many of which we as a University are a part and its important that the work of businesses of all sizes is recognised in enhancing the profile of Birmingham nationally and internationally.

Its also tremendous to get the opportunity to support an event which showcases role model businesses to the wider community.

The University is also setting up a new business innovation centre, STEAMhouse, with a range of co-working, artist production, incubation and networking facilities for small and medium-sized businesses in the West Midlands. The first phase of this development opened this year, with the full building to follow in 2019.

The Birmingham Post Business Awards takes place on Wednesday 18 October at the ICC. The nomination process is open until midnight on Friday 21 July. To enter click here

University achieves Small Business Charter award

Birmingham City University — 13/06/2017

Staff and students at Birmingham City Universitys Business School are celebrating after being granted the Small Business Charter award, in recognition of the Schools work and commitment to supporting small businesses and students in entrepreneurial activities.

The Small Business Charter award recognises business schools across the UK and is a nationally recognised kitemark, providing a platform for business schools to share best practice on what works best in supporting small businesses.

Birmingham City Business School impressed the award assessors with their strong business and stakeholder connections across the West Midlands region.

The Schools proactive approach to providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with events and workshops, centred around international business and post-Brexit opportunities, was also praised.

Were delighted to receive the Small Business Charter award in acknowledgement of the support we provide to businesses and the work we do in developing the employability of our students by encouraging their ambitions to become entrepreneurs and start their own business, said Mark Gilman, Professor of SME Growth and Development at Birmingham City Business School.

We take pride in Birmingham City Business School playing a pivotal role in the Universitys vision of being a university for Birmingham.

Also noted was the Schools SME Growth and Leadership programmes, including the Academy for Multi-unit Leadership; showcasing evidence of significant expertise and activity with a dedicated applied research centre within the School - the Centre for Enterprise, Innovation and Growth.

Dr Dawn Albery, Head of Birmingham City Business School, added: To be awarded the Small Business Charter is a fantastic achievement for the School.

I am extremely proud of the hard work and commitment of colleagues, and this award is well deserved recognition of the great work they do in supporting the small businesses of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

The Universitys business growth service, BCU Advantage, was also recognised by assessors for the support they provide to Birmingham City Business School and the work they undertake with expert partners to help businesses achieve their goals.

Anne Kiem, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: The Small Business Charter is delighted to see the positive and far-reaching impact award-winning schools are delivering in supporting their local economies.

We welcome Birmingham City Business School to our consortium of 36 award-holding business schools, all of whom do fantastic work supporting growing businesses.

The University for Birmingham and the Region – Supporting Jobs and Skills Acquisition

Birmingham City University — 13/01/2021

Birmingham City University (BCU) is a dynamic, business-engaged Institution with over 24,000 students from 80 countries.

BCU’s current 2025 Strategy outlines a dual mission of enabling personal transformation, and to be the University for Birmingham and the region through the provision of a highly-skilled, work-ready graduate workforce; and interdisciplinary academic and industry collaborations. BCU has secured £32.4m of enterprise income since 2017/18 to support large-scale project-based interventions specifically targeted to address identified skills and employment challenges.

In terms of support for business growth, the national award winning Higher Level Skills Match project provides local companies with access to graduates, interns and project staff with the skills businesses need to grow. It was designed with and for businesses, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the GBSLEP area.

With regard to skills gaps, BCU is working in partnership with FE and HE providers, and leading sector employers across the GBSLEP to deliver an Institute of Technology. The £10.1m GBSIoT project will develop new, industry-responsive technical education with a focus on advanced manufacturing and engineering, supporting employers to address skills gaps through access to relevant technical skills provision and local talent.

Skills gaps are also addressed through projects such as STEM-Up which helps aspiring individuals evaluate their skills gaps and find the right training courses to meet their needs. The initiative offers a wide and varied selection of free learning programmes provided by a host of recommended educational partners ranging from Level 1 soft skills to degree-level technical skills.

In terms of employment, the Graduate Re-tune project supports the acquisition of highly skilled jobs for unemployed or underemployed graduates through working in partnership with bodies such as DWP and Jobcentre Plus. Businesses also have an opportunity to work with BCU to support jobs and skills acquisition through the award winning micro-placement initiative. This provides flexible short-term work placement opportunities to students to help them be business ready and support local businesses to grow and innovate by giving them access to young talent.

Lastly, in terms of specialist skills acquisition from academic experts and support for innovation, businesses could consider a Knowledge Transfer Partnership through BCU – part of a UK-wide programme that helps businesses improve competitiveness and productivity. As an example of the practical application of KTPs, the BCU scheme, which secured a national award in September 2020, is working with the Made Group on enhancements to their digital platform.

Made Futures was created to encourage people to get jobs in manufacturing, in support of those who have lost their jobs over the course of the 2020 pandemic. There's still time to sign up and be part of the exhibition by filling in the form here.

Birmingham City University are pleased to introduce our MSc Enterprise Systems Management course

Birmingham City University — 02/08/2017

Our MSc Enterprise Systems Management course, deliver improved competitive advantage, cost reduction and innovation to your business.

The MSc Enterprise Systems Management course at Birmingham City University builds our studentsunderstanding of the integration of people, processes, and technology, in order to streamline business processes and gain a competitive advantage. Students learn to manage technological systems in order to support growth and innovation in their organisation. The course is complemented with practical workshops, working with SAP systems to apply learning in a virtual industry. The course also provides the opportunity to undertake SAP certification in a number of key areas.

At Birmingham City University we are continually investing in our learning facilities in order to provide the best opportunities for our students and their organisations. The MSc Enterprise Systems Management course is taught at Millennium Point, a hub for technology and innovation, right in the centre of Birmingham. Our labs are equipped to industry standards, so our students graduate ready to bring their skills and expertise to the workplace.

Deb Evans, Associate Professor of Enterprise Systems at Birmingham City University, is an experienced Operations Management practitioner. She has over 20 years of experience in managing enterprise information systems in order to improve business performance.

The course was well-structured with good facilities, and the support from staff was excellent. It is very relevant for my role as IT Manager and I knew it would assist my development within my company, and benefit the company itself. Ive enjoyed the direct relevance the course contents have to my job role. Peter Russell, MSc Enterprise Systems Management

Contact Deb for more information and how to apply.

Email: Deb.Evans@bcu.ac.uk

Phone: 0121 331 7423

Caterpillar Project Management Presentation

Birmingham City University — 25/03/2014

Perkins mid-term forecast for the 4000 Series product range indicated that existing UK based manufacturing capacity will not be able to cope with demand by mid/late 2010s. An extensive

investigation was held to determine where new capacity should be located and this included expanding existing capability at the UK Stafford-based facility. Analysis of future demand patterns for
such products has indicated that Asian markets have the strongest long-term growth. Further
analysis of demand also indicated the future demand patterns will move in favour of India. India,
therefore, becomes the chosen location for the establishment of the new facility. Existing capacity
at the Stafford facility is 6,000 units per annum and the planned facility will need to be capable of
3,000 units in the first instance with future capacity projection being made for up to 5,000 units.
In order to meet the required capacity expansion, a total investment of $150 million is being made, including start-up costs. This presentation will provide a unique insight into the management of a large capital intensive project, including:
1. Project Governance
2. Performance Management
3. Business Readiness
4. Adaptive Management
5. Key Lessons Learnt

Reserve your seat at this lecture www.madeinthemidlands.com/events

Urban Manufacturing Renaissance – Birmingham to Welcome Experts

Birmingham City University — 07/06/2018

Birmingham City Council and Birmingham City University are joining forces on 13^th and 14^th June to welcome a European delegation to the city. The delegates are here as part of a European Funded project team to look into ways of boosting the local economy by encouraging SMEs to become more innovative. The West Midlands were recently identified as being the joint lowest performing in terms of the Regional Innovation Scoreboard, so there is clearly work to be done.

The Urban Manufacturing project hopes to help SMEs innovate and stems from the latest hot topic in creative circles creative maker spaces. These are spaces where people with a variety of skills work together to come up with new ideas and products. A fantastic example of this is the recently opened maker space in Digbeth: STEAMhouse. STEAMhouse, which recently opened its doors in May 2018, is home to specially designed spaces to prototype new products and develop new ideas, plus a fabrication facility where members can experiment with digital, wood, metal and print production. It could be the birthplace of the next big idea for the city!

The delegates will also be visiting a number of maker spaces and creative quarters in the city including: Innovation Birmingham, Fizz Pop and the Custard Factory to gather ideas to take home.

What is Urban M trying to achieve?

The Urban M project has been up and running since spring 2017. The project is supporting policy makers and local city stakeholders to share good practice on the development and sustainability of collaborative maker spaces. One of the key aims of the project is to learn from the successes which already exist within the partnership, in supporting local innovation through collaborative making. The projects objective is to share good practice and to ensure maker spaces thrive by changing local and regional innovation policy to support them. Currently we are working with eight cities (Birmingham, Bratislava, Lazio Region, Lisbon, Kranj, San Sebastian, Vilnius and Zagreb), but ultimately we hope the good practices and learning developed through this project will be transferrable to other cities and regions across the EU.

To find out more about the incredible Maker Spaces popping up across Europe, check out STEAMhouses Five global STEAM initiatives inspiring our quest to transform the region - https://www.steamhouse.org.uk/blog/five-global-steam-initiatives/

STEAMhouse will give the regions entrepreneurs and SMEs the opportunity to harness their untapped potential and, with the power of STEAM, take their business ideas to the next level.

Find out more on the Urban M website!

Top Award for BCU project tackling business skills gaps

Birmingham City University — 23/07/2020

Birmingham City University, Aston University and Newman University have been awarded the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Building Effective Partnerships Award 2020 for the collaborative Higher Level Skills Match (HLSM) project.

The success was announced at the AGCAS Awards for Excellence showcase webinar on 14 July.

The AGCAS Awards for Excellence encourage, reward and share good practice among Higher Education (HE) careers and employability practitioners and their partner organisations by promoting quality, innovative and collaborative projects and high professional standards across the full range of HE careers and employability work.

HLSM is a collaborative project positioning BCU, Aston University and Newman University in partnership with local authorities in Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Tamworth, and North Worcestershire.

Part funded by the European Social Fund, HLSM tackles the gap between the future skills required by businesses, and the skills currently held by the workforce.

HLSM targets skills challenges impacting local economic growth within Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s priority growth sectors. The project has worked with 329 businesses and completed 189 skills projects while engaging over 1,200 students and graduates on initiatives including paid jobs, work experience and mentoring.

Interested in finding out more about BCU’s business skills development, talent-matching support and collaboration opportunities? Visit our BCU Advantage website or contact us.

Midlands Engine Breakfast: A £34bn strategy for growth

Birmingham City University — 19/04/2017

Millennium Point Auditorium, Level 4, Millennium Point Building
Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG

Wednesday 10 May 2017
7:30am - 9:15am

You are invited to register to Insider's panel session all about the growth of the Midlands.

The government's growth blueprint for the Midlands, as laid out by the Chancellor, is truly ambitious create: 300,000 jobs, add £34bn to the region's economy by 2030, and address "productivity barriers".

But how can the region rise to meet those challenges? And what opportunities can it create for your business?

Register your interest for free today.

Insider invites you to a debate that will look at the impact on business, and the challenges and opportunities the Midlands Engine will present.

We'll look at how the fortunes of the Midlands could be transformed, particularly in terms of transport, skills, finance, innovation, development and marketing.

The event gives you the chance to question decision-makers on what this all means for the economy, and how the business agenda can influence growth, jobs, property and transport.

This is your chance to quiz those who make it happen, and have your voice heard at the top table.

ENQUIRIES:

For event enquiries please contact Jo Sanderson on 0161 907 9756

For sponsorship enquiries please contact Tracey Bull on 0121 214 6560

SPONSORED BY: Encore, Gowling WLG and Lambert Smith Hampton

HOSTED BY: Birmingham City University

Register now

Great Midlands debate

Birmingham City University — 14/06/2016

The Midlands needs you!

The Midlands is on the edge of massive growth in the professional services sector with Birmingham and Coventry in particular seeing major investments by organisations such as HSBC, HS2 and RICS.

In addition to this, many other businesses and organisations are setting up here, or looking to relocate to the region, making the Midlands the biggest destination for white-collar workers migrating from London.

So, how can we work together to maximize the potential of our local economy? How can we drive increased investment from businesses and organisations, encourage more professionals to relocate here and nurture more of our very own home-grown talent?

Birmingham City University invites you to join its debate

Birmingham City University, in conjunction with Business Insider, invites you to join its Midlands debate. We will be discussing ways we can make the Midlands the business centre for professional services in the UK and a European, even worldwide, centre of business excellence.

Tuesday, 21^st June 2016

The event will bring together a panel of experts heads of professional bodies, business leaders, educators, and investment gurus to inform debate on how the Midlands can build on its success to become a Professional Powerhouse.

The debate will inform:

· Why has the Midlands become such a draw for professional people and organisations?

· How do we encourage more to follow them?

· How do we develop areas of specialisation in which the Midlands can become a European, and even global leader? What are these specialisms?

· How do we encourage more home grown talent from schools, colleges and universities?

· How to access /draw down the academic expertise from these universities?

· How do we ensure that the benefits of a thriving professional community are spread beyond the confines of areas like Colmore Row and Friargate?

· What are the infrastructure investments needed to develop the regions white collar sector?

· What soft assest such as schools homes and leisure are needed?

To secure your place at Birmingham City Universitys Midlands debate REGISTER HERE

Date: Tue 21 June - 7:30am - 10:00am

Location: Curzon Building - Room C087, 5 Cardigan St, Birmingham , B4 7BD

Contact: Sanjeev Gill

Email: Sanjeev.gill@bcu.ac.uk

Increase your profitability and achieve growth through a Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network-KEEN

Birmingham City University — 31/10/2013

Increase your profitability and achieve growth through a Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network (KEEN) project.

Birmingham City University is happy to announce an exciting West Midlands Regional Business Support Programme - KEEN (Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network), part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and designed specifically to help West Midlands based SMEs increase their profitability and achieve growth.

KEEN - What are the benefits for your business?

A bespoke project, developed specifically to meet your needs and requirements.

A graduate (known as an Affiliate) who will be recruited to work full-time on the project within your business.

Support from a nominated university liaison officer who will visit your company to offer ongoing support throughout the duration of the KEEN project.

A university academic expert(s) who will visit your company (0.5 day per week throughout the project duration) to mentor and support the Affiliate, ensuring that the project is on track, and objectives are being met.

Access to an equipment and travel budget (funding, worth on average up to £4,000).

Post-completion of the KEEN project, should you require additional help, we can advise you on other business support products, for example the part-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) programme.

A KEEN project can vary in length dependent upon the nature of the project, running from between 6-24 months.How does KEEN work?

KEEN programmes offer a high level of business support and flexibility to companies, implemented through the transfer of knowledge and expertise that is embedded directly into your business.

A KEEN programme is managed directly by a graduate (Affiliate), recruited by you, to work full-time on the KEEN project.

The university will work with you to help develop the project, and upon submission, the approval process takes approximately 7-14 days.

The university supports you from initial meeting, application stage, during recruitment and throughout the duration of the KEEN project.

Once approved, there are strategic KEEN project meetings, held at the start, mid-way point, and at the end of the project to ensure that the project is on track and delivering results for your business.

How much will KEEN cost my company?

The KEEN can vary in cost, upon average of £23,750 per annum. There is flexibility to reduce this, dependent upon the salary scale you wish to pay the Affiliate (salary scale ranges from £18,000 - £24,000), allowing the company to appoint on a generous scale.

What makes KEEN attractive to businesses?

Unique to the West Midlands, KEEN is available to SMEs in the region.

KEEN is highly responsive - turnaround from application to approval/running the project is typically three weeks, minimising the recruitment period, helping businesses to move forward and remain competitive.

Graduates (Affiliate) can come from anywhere in the UK, ensuring that the best talent and skills are recruited to deliver your bespoke KEEN project.

Unlike many part-funded knowledge transfer schemes, business process, lean and marketing projects are eligible for funding.

Micro businesses may also be considered, providing they are able to demonstrate a commitment to the management of the graduate (Affiliate).

Interested? Next steps:

We can arrange to visit you at your premises, at your earliest convenience, to discuss how a KEEN project can really help your business move forward.

Contact:

Natalie Lewis, Knowledge Transfer Manager, Birmingham City University

T: 0121 331 5677

E: natalie.lewis@bcu.ac.uk

W: bcu.ac.uk/business/our-research-and-expertise/keen

http://twitter.com/BCU4Biz

Award Success for BCU-Business Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Birmingham City University — 25/01/2021

Birmingham City University has been nominated in two categories at the national Knowledge Transfer Best of the Best Awards 2020.

The KTP Best of the Best Awards recognise the exceptional achievements of these unique collaborative partnerships, which bring together forward looking businesses, expert academic teams, and talented graduates in a three way partnership designed to drive innovation and create positive change – economic, environmental, social.

BCU's KTP with SBS Insurance won the Business Impact Award category. The KTP has used positive “digital disruption” to revolutionise jewellery insurance claims leading to key innovations like “printing an heirloom & replacing the irreplaceable”. As a result of the KTP, SBS project significant increases in turnover and profits.

Our KTP with Paraid, a division of Evac+Chair International Ltd, was been nominated in the Societal Impact Award for their development of the new Paraid ambulance trolley fitted with an Impact Resistant Interface System (IRIS) aims to reduce the risk of brain injuries in ambulance transfer.

Interested in finding out more about BCU’s business support and collaboration opportunities? Visit our BCU Advantage website or contact us.

Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse on Made TV “The Editor’s Pick”

Birmingham City University — 25/10/2021

Birmingham City University’s Patrick Bek was invited on to discuss the latest news about BCU’s STEAMhouse facility on Wednesday 6 October.

Patrick (Head of Service Innovation and Experimentation at STEAMhouse), joined to discuss Birmingham City University’s article titled “STEAMhouse launches new website and innovation services”.

STEAMhouse is Birmingham City University’s centre for collaborative innovation. The new website showcases all the STEAMhouse business support designed to help you solve problems and create new products and services.

Watch the episode back below.

Interested in finding out more about the business support services available from Birmingham City University? Visit our BCU Advantage website or contact us.

The Makerspace Putting the Arts in STEM

Birmingham City University — 08/06/2018

Birmingham City University is proud be putting the Arts into STEM with STEAMhouse.

STEAMhouse is more than a makerspace, its a new collaborative centre for business innovation and creation, located within Digbeth, Birmingham City Centre.

The vision is simple, STEAMhouse seeks to unite talented start-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurs from different backgrounds within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths the STEAM disciplines to bring amazing new ideas to life.

Innovation doesnt always come easy for SMEs.

SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy and with the ability to make such a significant contribution, its important that they are supported to sustain growth and continue delivering new concepts to market. New and innovative business ideas are what get most entrepreneurs, SMEs and start-up businesses within the engineering and manufacturing sector out of bed in the morning.

Launching a new product or service to market is hard, especially within the manufacturing and engineering industries where equipment is expensive, especially for R&D stages.

No matter how big the ambition or great the idea, the reality for an SME within these sectors to bring a new product to market can be daunting, especially with limited funds and resources available to them. Access to the right facilities to design, build and stress test your concept can be a massive hurdle but if your new product idea cant be properly tested or developed, where do you go from there?

STEAMhouse has been created for this very purpose. Members can access a range of exciting technology, such as the Ultimaker 3 (3D printer), Sublimation Printer & Flatbed CNC router, to drive new product development, innovation and business growth. This could be huge for manufacturers and engineers looking to develop new products, without having a big initial outlay on purchasing equipment. Not only that, but youll access a hotbed of creativity and more importantly trusted advice, guidance and support from STEAMhouse technicians and specialists, alongside opportunities to access funding for prototyping, etc.Even better, STEAMhouse facilities and support are free to eligible SMEs.

A bright future for Birmingham and the surrounding areas

Entrepreneurs and small businesses within the Greater Birmingham and West Midlands regions have not had access to STEAM focussed collaborative makerspace facilities and advice before.

STEAMhouse will give the regions entrepreneurs and SMEs the opportunity to harness their untapped potential and with the power of STEAM, take their business ideas to the next level.

Find out more at

www.steamhouse.org.uk

Boost your business resilience in these difficult times

Birmingham City University — 03/11/2022

Lead the growth of your business, reach more customers and boost profits with the government-backed Help To Grow 12-week management course delivered by Birmingham City University Business School.

Running a business at the moment is tough. If you're a senior manager in a small to medium-sized business, this government-supported training programme, which is 90% funded will help you meet today's business challenges.

You'll gain insight and skills to help you boost your business performance, resilience, and long-term growth.

Give your business a competitive edge with the “Help To Grow Management” programme, with access to 1:1 mentoring, peer networking, and tailored training, all for just £750.

Are you:

Committed to grow your business and boost profits?
Have a desire to retain, upskill and develop your managers and business leaders?
Interested in significantly funded access to learning?

If you, would you like:

Access to a leadership programme for yourself or for a manager/leader in your team
A business growth programme 90% funded by The British Government
12 weeks in length covering 12 modules of learning
1-2-1 support from a business mentor
Peer to peer support and networking
Create a bespoke growth plan for your business to help it reach its full potential

The course has been positively received by those that have taken part.

"My worries that it would be too heavy on theory were totally unfounded – yes, of course, some of that is explained, but it is done in such a practical way, linked to real-life business examples, and to our own situations, that it truly becomes useful," says Peter Davies, CEO, James Lister and Sons Limited.

There are limited spaces available on cohort 6 starting in November 2022. Interested in attending? Register now.

If you have any queries regarding the programme, please contact: bcbsbusiness.services@bcu.ac.uk

Labour leader reaffirms commitment to nursing bursaries during Birmingham visit

Birmingham City University — 14/06/2016

The Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn MP, visited Birmingham City University Thursday 9 June, to emphasise his commitment to protecting bursaries for future nursing students.

Accompanied by the Shadow Heath Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP, as part of the Labour In for Britain EU referendum campaign, they took part in a roundtable discussion with nursing students at the Universitys City South Campus in Edgbaston. Bursaries were top of the agenda alongside the upcoming referendum itself.

Trainee nurses currently do not pay tuition fees, and receive a means tested bursary during their training, but from 1 August 2017, all nursing, midwifery and allied health students will instead be offered student loans to help them while studying. Many fear that these changes will deter those from less advantaged backgrounds from entering in to a nursing career.

Jeremy Corbyn said:

Many students here today were very worried about the future of student bursaries. I am very determined that we keep and defend these because it means those wishing to enter the profession can get the qualifications that they need, and it means that we all benefit because we have enough qualified nurses.

Its fantastic to be here at Birmingham City University. Its been great to hear from students about the good experience they have had here at the University. They all liked the interplay between Birmingham Childrens Hospital and other hospitals within the region, giving them a good basis in their courses, and in developing them as healthcare professionals.

Prior to the discussion with students, Mr Corbyn and Ms Alexander explored the Universitys state-of-the-art health training facilities, while students showcased their skills with a series of medical simulations and presentations.

Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is the regions largest provider of qualified health and social care professionals to the NHS, so we were delighted to welcome the Leader of the Labour Party and the Shadow Health Secretary to discuss a range of pressing issues affecting our nursing trainees, including concerns about student bursaries and the upcoming EU referendum.

As an institution we remain neutral in the debate surrounding the EU referendum, but we recognise the importance in facilitating discussion on campus, which is why we have been driving a series of events to help students make an informed decision on Thursday 23 June.

While the removal of the bursary for prospective nursing students could deter those from less advantageous backgrounds, as a University, we continue to work with under-represented groups and demonstrate to young people through our outreach programme how Higher Education can transform lives.

Image: (left to right) Shadow Heath Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP, Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Birmingham City University and Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn MP

BCU at Backing Britain Live 2020 - Exhibition Live Chat hours Announced

Birmingham City University — 31/07/2020

Birmingham City University (BCU) will be exhibiting at the Backing Britain Live 2020 Exhibition from 17-28th August 2020.

The team from BCU Advantage, the University's business support service, will be available for a Live Chat with vistiors to our stand in the BBLive2020 exhibition hall on Monday-Friday throughout the expo.

Each of our Live Chat sessions is themed so you can choose one that best suits your interest, or just drop in for a general chat. We'd love to hear from you. Our four session themes are:

Skills and talent - find out how we can help you identify needs and recruit talent, upskill your existing workforce and find high-quality graduates.
STEAM: where STEM meets the Arts - discover our award-winning STEAMhouse innovation centre and learn about the extensive marterials workshops and prototyping facilities, including our new AR/VR capabilities and our STEAM incubator for start-ups.
Knowledge Exchange - learn about funding opportunities for Knowledge Exchange Partnerships and our academic expertise.
Institute of Technology (IoT) - explore the opportunities for manufacturing business in the region's new IOT, including CPD, degree apprenticeships, research and testing facilities.

View the video below to find a Live Chat session for you.

BCU Advantage is the business support service from Birmingham City University. To find out how we can help your business start, grow and innovate, vist our BCU Advantage website or contact us.