MAS throws weight behind university and industry collaboration

The awards celebrate the best of innovative collaboration between companies and universities across the region, marking the importance of resulting increased competitiveness and the growth of the region’s knowledge base. Universities in the West Midlands, where the prestigious awards have been running successfully for 10 years, have already seen how award success can help them to attract a number of new collaborative opportunities with businesses.

MAS centre director Tony Pritchard, who is also part of the judging panel said: “Part of the work of MAS is helping to manage change within manufacturing businesses, taking forward innovative products or processes as a result of university and business collaborations of the type being judged here.

“This is why we’re delighted to be able to help support this first year for the Lord Stafford Awards in the East Midlands. The benefits brought to businesses as a result of such collaborations are crucial to the future success of our manufacturing industries and it is right that we celebrate them.”

Thirty applications were received - a great achievement for the first year with the shortlist drawn up prior to the intensive two days of judging in June. This involved site visits by the judges to arm them with sufficient information to make their final decisions.

“The expansion of the awards scheme is great news for the region as it looks to support growth and economic prosperity across the whole of the East Midlands,” said Lord Stafford. “Businesses are starting to recognise the need for innovation in industry and through collaboration with universities, they can truly excel in this field.”

Winners in each of three categories will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 11 September at Goosedale in Nottingham.

For more information about the awards and shortlisted candidates, CLICK HERE