26.02.20
New research partnership announced between University of Birmingham and Siemens Mobility Ltd
Siemens Mobility Limited and the University of Birmingham have announced a new, academic framework research partnership, strengthening the relationship between the two organisations.
The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) will join Siemens Mobility to commence a pipeline of innovation for the rail industry, evolving the application of fundamental research by working with a variety of industry partners across the rail supply chain.
BCRRE and Siemens Mobilty also revealed during the event details of the University of Birmingham’s involvement in the new Rail Accelerator and Innovations Solutions Hub for Enterprise (RaisE). This crucial R&D facility is being established alongside Siemens Mobility’s new manufacturing site in Goole, East Yorkshire.
BCRRE with Rail Alliance by their side 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. The hub will become a regional facility for developing supply chain knowledge and capability whilst connecting local companies with wider rail opportunities.
The new partnership was finalised on Wednesday (Feb 26th) 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.
Professor Jones said: “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, said: “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.”
Professor Clive Roberts, Director of BCRRE, said: “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.”
Image: From left to right. Professor Clive Roberts, Director of BCRRE; Will Wilson, CEO Siemens Mobility; Professor Tim Jones, University of Birmingham Provost. (Credit University of Birmingham.)