QUEEN’S University has opened a new £7.5 million advanced manufacturing technology facility which it says will help organisations increase their productivity.
The facility is supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Innovate UK and the Aerospace Technology Institute and is one of the biggest collaborative investments in manufacturing by academia, government and industry partners.
It will provide Northern Ireland with an important regional link to other manufacturing research organisations, helping to bridge the gap in technology concept and commercialisation.
The facility is part of a pioneer research programme at Queen’s which is leading innovation in new technologies for advanced manufacturing.
It will be based at the university's renowned Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC).
Professor Mark Price, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the faculty of engineering and physical sciences at Queen’s, said: “This is a great example of industry, government and academia working in partnership to move Northern Ireland forward.
“The facility allows us to address the challenges that the industry is currently facing and plan ahead to meet future needs. It also provides an opportunity to train up the next generation of experts in manufacturing.
“From a very early stage, our students at Queen’s will have had the chance to use state-of-the-art industrial machines, which will be beneficial when they begin their careers in industry.”
Head of the NITC Colm Higgins said: “For the last 50 years we have worked closely with industry partners through the NITC to provide support and tackle challenges head on.
"The demands for industry are ever-changing and as a key partner to Northern Ireland companies, we are delighted to open this new state-of-the-art facility at Queen’s, which will drive forward advanced manufacturing and meet short term and future requirements."
