UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
University to gain High-Tech Innovation Centre
Close partnerships between academics and industry will be stimulated through a new centre for innovation at the University announced by the Government in a White Paper on 13 February. The centre could spark radical developments in communications and computing.
Dr Kim Howells, Minister for Consumer and Corporate Affairs, made the announcement during a visit to the University for the regional launch of the White Paper on the Knowledge Economy and Competitiveness.
To be known as C4, the Centre for Communications, Computing and Content will bring the University's world-class Computer Science and Electrical and Electronic Engineering departments together with industrial partners such as Hewlett Packard, Toshiba, STMicroelectronics and Broadcom Corp.
C4 will be one of a new generation of technology centres based in the regions to underpin the Government's strategy for economic growth.
The Centre will boost the level of research and development in the South West and speed the transformation of ideas into commercial products and services. It will also provide a home for the new, high-technology spin-out companies that will emerge through partnership working.
The Government's announcement marks a further step forward for the University's Research and Enterprise Development team, which includes the recently-launched Bristol Enterprise Centre. Part of its role is to build on the University's outstanding track record in forging links with industry and generating entrepreneurs.
Professor Joe McGeehan, Dean of Engineering and Director of the University Research Centre for Communications Engineering, said: 'Bristol is already a major player in the IT and communications revolution and C4 is part of an ambitious strategy to maintain its world-class position. 'The new centre will enable us to accelerate our progress in a way that will bring tangible benefits to society as well as the national and regional economies.'
Issued by the Public Relations Office, Communications & Marketing Services, University of Bristol, tel (0117) 928 8896, mobile (07770) 408757. Contacts: Barry Taylor or Joanne Fryer.
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Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Tuesday, 27-Feb-2001 10:17:31 GMT