University of Birmingham: The University of Birmingham is at the Heart of Increased Inward Investment in the Midlands Region
On the 16th of March 2022, Professor Adam Tickell, University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor, was a featured keynote speaker at the Invest Midlands dinner, drawing on the University’s collaborations with industry and policymakers to bring forward new investment to the region.
The event, held at Millennium Point in Birmingham and hosted by The Business Desk, welcomed business leaders from across the Midlands and featured keynote contributions from the University of Birmingham’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Tickell, and Councillor Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield and leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, among a selection of other speakers.
The evening’s discussions shared a collective sense of excitement and optimism about the potential for future inward investment and growth across the region, showcasing the breadth of possibility for business and academia post-pandemic.
In his address to the audience, Professor Adam Tickell identified the broad scope of the University’s collaborations, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare and transport, as a major driver in attracting further investment to the region and reviving the local economy.
He added that key projects such as the Tyseley Energy Park and the forthcoming opening of the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus present themselves as vital sources of local research and innovation in the fields of energy and waste sustainability, and health and innovation ecosystems respectively.
The University’s role as a convenor in bridging local innovation gaps by bringing researchers together with policymakers and industry leaders was also emphasised by the Vice-Chancellor. Through connecting the university’s innovation assets and academic expertise with regional, national and international stakeholders, the University of Birmingham is helping to address global challenges such as climate change and inequality, while also providing a steady pipeline of talent to employers in the region.
This sense of positivity about the region is exemplified by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, for which the University of Birmingham—a lead sponsor—will be hosting the largest athlete’s village as well as providing the venues for the hockey and squash events. The Games will provide an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the region’s international research strengths and business partnerships on a global scale.
The Vice-Chancellor’s words contributed to the evening’s promising outlook for what is to come in the Midlands region, urging businesses to continue to work closely with academia to capitalise on the potential for greater inward investment in the region.