University’s marine economy academy raises £2.3m in first year

June 1, 2015, by BEIS Blogger

University’s marine economy academy raises £2.3m in first year

Over the last twelve months, a partnership between The University of Nottingham, Wanli Education Group (WEG) and Ningbo Municipal Government has successfully raised over £2.3 million for research into areas related to the marine economy industry.

The marine economy is one of China’s key strategic development areas. It will be the next key economic growth area for the country with an annual growth rate of 13.5 per cent since 2001. In 2011, the gross production of marine-related industries was 4.56 trillion Yuan, which accounts for around 10 per cent of GDP, and this is expected to reach 15 per cent in 2015.

The International Academy for Marine Economy and Technology (IAMET), which is based at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), provides ground-breaking applied research into various areas, including port services and logistics, marine advanced materials, biological products and environmental management. It also draws on the input and advice of independent world-leading academic and industry experts to deliver programmes training talent, exchanging knowledge and commercialising research.

The Academy will leverage The University of Nottingham’s global experience in various areas of research, including port services and logistics, marine advanced materials, biological products and environmental management. It will also draw on the input and advice of independent world-leading academic and industry experts to deliver innovative programmes.

In the first year, the IAMET has fully delivered on its agreed plan, endorsed by the Ningbo government, which has seen it achieve its funding target and also begin engagement with 20 companies with an interest in marine technologies. A new building to house the IAMET is now also under construction and five PhD students have recently been recruited into the Academy to support the research effort.

At the most recent annual IAMET Council meeting, senior representatives from Ningbo Municipal Government, including Vice Mayor Chen Zhongchao, and senior leaders from the University, UNNC and WEG, came together to discuss the progress of the IAMET project. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the University’s Asia Business Centre.

Professor Nick Miles, Provost UNNC, said: “IAMET is a great example of international collaboration. It is now delivering real impact in to the local economy and community and we have exciting plans for the year ahead.”

Zhongchao Chen, Vice Mayor, Ningbo Municipal Government, added: “We are pleased to see that IAMET has been running smoothly and efficiently since its official launch in April last year. With the full commitment and joint effort, the Academy has made great progresses and achieved all the targets set in early 2014.

“New materials and marine hi-tech are the two strategic initiatives of Ningbo, and the research directions of the Academy well fit with these. I hope that the Academy will continue introducing high-level talents and engaging with local industries, and contribute to the local marine economy growth.”

Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at The University of Nottingham, who chaired the Council meeting, concluded: “The very positive comments from the senior representatives of Ningbo Municipal Government are very pleasing and recognise the very good progress made by IAMET in the last year. I would like to thank the Ningbo Municipal Government for their support throughout the IAMET project and we look forward to future success”.

Posted in Advanced materialsAsia Business CentreAsia PacificChinaContinuing Professional DevelopmentEngineeringEnvironmental managementIAMETIP and CommercialisationKnowledge ExchangeResearchScienceServices for BusinessTechnologyTrainingUNNC