Rhianne Griffiths


 

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Swansea University's Innovation Centre

user image 2011-03-30
By: Rhianne Griffiths
Posted in:

DIRECTLY FROM WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVT:

Minister formally announces funding for Swansea Universitys new innovation campus

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones will today visit Swansea to formally announce funding for a new multi-million pound science and innovation campus.
Tuesday 29 March 2011

The Welsh Assembly Government is providing 15 million to Swansea University to deliver the proposed Bay Science and Innovation campus that will be located on Fabian Way across a 69 acre site.

An economic study by the University estimates the project will contribute more than 3 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years and create thousands of jobs.

Plans on display for the new campus include a research and testing facility operated in partnership with Rolls-Royce; integrated teaching and research facilities for the Universitys Schools of Engineering, Business and Economics, Maths and Computer Science, as well as student residential accommodation.

The major research and development facilities are designed to encourage industry to work side by side with researchers, academia and students.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has approved outline planning consent for the new Bay Science and Innovation Campus on the 22nd February 2011.

Mr Jones said,

This project fits into our vision for the Welsh economy with its focus on innovation and research and development. For Wales to succeed in the modern economy, academia and businesses must work together. Wales must move towards a more knowledge based economy where the right conditions exist for innovation to flourish so we can unlock our full potential.

That is why the Assembly Government is pleased to be providing 15 million to help make this campus become a reality. The Universitys research shows the project has the potential to create thousands of jobs for the region and pump millions into the local economy. Of course our funding will be subject to a business case appraisal and the University demonstrating its ability to fund the ongoing operation of the project. Innovation is key to our future in Wales. It is what can pave the way to success both in our businesses and academia. That is our path to further prosperity as we adapt to stay at the forefront of developments. For that reason, this development will be a significant step forward.

Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor, Swansea University said,

This is a bold and innovative project. It promises to be a global exemplar of universities and industry working together, creating high technology clusters and hugely enhancing the career opportunities for students. We have a number of multi-national companies as partners, but a project of this massive scale could not have proceeded without the assistance of the Welsh Assembly Government. We thank in particular the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for his support and encouragement and for allocating funds from his own department budget to make the whole project financially feasible.

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Those of you who read my blogs will know how strongly I feel about recycling, regeneration and sustainability in Swansea and Gower. (Particularly Gower).

This is the type of news we welcome as it promises so much for the future sustainability of the region.

When highly intelligent individuals come to Swansea to study they more often than not fall in love with the beauty of Gower and the Swansea coastline. This is very good news indeed because often they decide to live and work here after their student days are over. In choosing to live and work here they boost the economic climate and the vibrancy of the area!

What should the planners be doing to help to make the region attractive to this group of individuals?

One thing they should be attempting is to bring vision to planning the recreational infrastructure. What currently tends to happen is that we train these high-worth individuals, and sometimes we incubate their businesses only to find that when they reach a point where they are viable and begin to employ workers themselves, they transport their business to The Cardiff Bay area where it is deemed to be trendier.

What is the solution? Please feel free to leave your opinion in the Comments section below.