Business News

Business leaders visit campus

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:07:00 GMT

University facilities were showcased to the local business community this week at an event designed to encourage greater industry collaboration. 

Representatives from a range of industries joined members from ‘Shaping the Future of Portsmouth,’ a coalition of businesses designed to promote economic growth and prosperity in the city.  The group visited the campus to see firsthand the equipment and facilities available to support industry and to hear about current and potential collaborations between the University and local businesses.

Among the guests were delegates from IBM, Grant Thornton, Portsmouth Football Club and members of the City Council who met staff from Engineering, Architecture, Enterprise and Business.  At the top of the agenda was a tour of the University’s Rapid Prototype Laboratory which has recently undergone a £2 million refit including upgraded services and new equipment.   The laboratory now has five rapid prototype machines which produce models directly from computer files and which can be used to develop prototypes and new products. 

The event was organised by the Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services. 
Head of Department, Mark Baker, said that it was a demonstration of the University's ongoing commitment to play its part in the growth of the local economy.

“Bringing people onto the campus allows them a real insight into what the University can do for business.  It’s an opportunity to showcase our specialist facilities and to develop relationships between the university and local industry.  We hope it will lead to the development of many more collaborative partnerships which will benefit the city, the institution and our students.”

Julia Kirkby is Director of Workshop Recruitment one of the leading recruitment agencies in the Portsmouth area specialising in manufacturing, Construction, Engineering, Commercial and Sales and the pharmaceutical industries.  She said that the event had been a real eye-opener about what the university does.

“The fact that the University has this kind of capability in so many areas came as a revelation to me and I think many people would be surprised to learn about the facilities and expertise available right in the heart of the city. 

“Businesses are clamouring for these kinds of facilities and support and I will certainly be banging the drum about the University of Portsmouth.”