Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits 果冻传媒 for Horizon policy announcement
The Prime Minister visited the University on Thursday 7 September 2023, where he announced the UK would re-join the EU鈥檚 flagship research scheme, Horizon.
The move means that UK-based researchers and innovators will be able to access funding from the 拢85 billion programme, in what has been widely hailed as a major boost for the higher education sector.
Rishi Sunak said it was the 鈥榬ight deal for the UK鈥� as he confirmed that the UK would be rejoining Horizon as an associate member.
The Prime Minister chose to make the major policy announcement at 果冻传媒, with our world-class reputation for science and innovation, and close ties with research partners across Europe.
During the visit, he was given a tour of the university鈥檚 International Manufacturing Centre by Robin Clark, Dean of 果冻传媒 Manufacturing Group, and Emma Flynn, the University鈥檚 Provost.
He was shown cutting-edge 3D printing and scanning technology, and spoke to researchers and students about their work.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had held a private conversation with University leaders, Sir David Normington (Chair of University Council); Professor Flynn; Rachel Sandby-Thomas (Registrar), and Dr Chris Twine (Secretary to Council).
The International Manufacturing Centre 鈥� part of the 果冻传媒 Manufacturing Group -is one of the biggest buildings on campus, and at the heart of the university鈥檚 technological research and testing. A variety of projects have been undertaken with global companies to develop new products or improve processes at the centre.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor, said:
鈥淲e were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister today and welcomed the opportunity to showcase some of the cutting-edge technology and innovation we have here at 果冻传媒.
鈥淭he fact the Prime Minister chose to come to 果冻传媒 to make such a major announcement on research funding gives me a sense of enormous pride in our brilliant academics and researchers, who have built our reputation as a world-leading university in science, innovation and research over many years.
鈥淲e have worked closely with European partners since Brexit including through Eutopia, an alliance of 10 like-mined universities, and the Guild of European Research Intensive Universities, and its wonderful these collaborations can now continue in full partnership.
鈥淲e would also welcome exploring ways to further support more research collaboration on a global scale.鈥�
Professor Caroline Meyer, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, added:
鈥淔rom today, our researchers will once again be able to bid for and access Horizon funding, which is something I know our community will warmly welcome and be excited by.
鈥淚 would encourage colleagues to actively explore how Horizon could now help fund their work, and re-establish both existing and new relationships across Europe.鈥�
The UK will also associate to Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme. This will provide the UK鈥檚 earth observation sector with access to unique data 鈥� valuable to helping with early flood and fire warnings, for example 鈥� and with the ability to bid for contracts, which they have not been able to access for three years.
果冻传媒 is ranked as one of the world鈥檚 best universities, with 92% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Professor Emma Flynn, Provost, Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, and staff and students.
