Third Mission
This year saw the University
awarded £604,500 from HEFCE as part of the Higher Education Innovation
Fund initiative. The fillip has been used to develop initiatives and income
streams, which support the University's research and teaching goals through
link-ups with companies and the wider community. This Third Mission activity
is of growing importance to the University, and this funding has enabled
academic Schools to appoint Third Mission Associates who will act as catalysts
to help generate more research contracts with businesses, more technology
transfer projects such as Teaching Company Schemes, new training initiatives,
and original commercialisation activities.
 £2.4
million of funds were also secured for focused business support networks
including COMIT (textiles and clothing), SIMULA
(digital technologies), and the Industry Support Network (manufacturing).
COMIT works with the region's textile manufacturers to improve efficiencies,
and played a part in the World
Cup after testing the fabric used to make the official off-the-pitch
suits for the England team. SIMULA,
which received £1.3 million, promotes innovation in new media and digital
technologies and provides companies with access to expertise in Computer-Generated
Imaging. The Industry Support Network, which received £730,000, provides
assistance to local manufacturing SMEs working on product and process
development with a focus on competitive advantage. Other business support
networks operated by the University include Medilink (medical equipment),
and SME Knowledge Network (management).
 These
vital initiatives have forged links and partnerships across the region
and are helping to support and underpin the economic regeneration of the
City and the District. Highlights include a series of forums and presentations
to support local companies including events organised by Overseas Trade
Support for SMEs and the SME Knowledge Network. The Industry Support Network
has also delivered a range of seminars focusing on best practice to support
industry across the region.
University spin-off companies
Advanced Gel Technology
(AGT) and Bradford Particle
Design (bpd) have continued to go from strength to strength. AGT signed
a £220,000 contract to use its revolutionary new gel outside
the laboratory for the first time in October 2001, and in May 2002
saw the opening of their superb new
facilities at Listerhills Science Park. bpd, meanwhile, has begun
a multi-million pound expansion drive with plans to create new manufacturing
plant which will increase its production capacity ten-fold.
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