The University of Birmingham and Siemens Mobility Limited have announced a new, academic framework research collaboration, deepening the relationship between the two organisations.
This collaboration will allow the University of Birmingham and Siemens Mobility to advance the industrial application of fundamental academic research, whilst furthering the University’s R&D capabilities.
The first stage of this collaboration will see the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) join with Siemens Mobility to deliver a pipeline of innovation for the rail industry, developing the application of fundamental research by working with a range of industry partners across the rail supply chain.
The collaboration was formalised on Wednesday 26 February between University of Birmingham Provost, Professor Tim Jones and Siemens Mobility Limited CEO, William Wilson, during Destination Digitalisation, an industry event hosted by Rail Alliance part of BCRRE, and at which Mr. Wilson was speaking.
Professor Jones says: “Siemens Mobility has made an enormous investment in the future of the UK’s railways and we are delighted to be collaborating with it in bringing the world-class expertise of BCRRE to support this mission.”
William Wilson says: “We are proud to be deepening our relationship with the University of Birmingham, which since the launch of UKRRIN (UK Rail Research Innovation Network) has gone from strength to strength”
During the event, BCRRE and Siemens Mobility also unveiled details of the University of Birmingham’s involvement in the new Rail Accelerator and Innovations Solutions Hub for Enterprise (RaisE). This major R&D facility is being developed alongside Siemens Mobility’s new manufacturing site in Goole, East Yorkshire.
RaisE is being established to accelerate collaboration and innovation in new railway technologies throughout the UK and globally, driving significant industry and ultimately passenger value in defined areas of advanced research. The facility will focus on providing research and development support, enabled by a network of partners from the UK rail industry and higher education.
BCRRE with Rail Alliance, will be establishing the Supply Chain Community Hub at the site to offer a high-quality facility for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The hub will become a regional facility for developing supply chain knowledge and capability whilst connecting local companies with wider rail opportunities.
Professor Clive Roberts, Director of BCRRE, says: “This collaboration is the beginning of a long term alliance with Siemens, strengthening the connections between academia and industry and producing products and services that will be of real benefit to the industry as a whole.”
Siemens Mobility and the University of Birmingham are the leading partners for the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), which is a collaboration between Industry, Academia and Government, launched in February 2018.
This article was first published 26 February 2020 by University of Birmingham.
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