Third Mission
Third Mission, or knowledge
transfer, is of growing importance to the University and connects us positively
with business, industry and the wider community. Increasingly, our practical
focus on 'Making Knowledge Work' is paying dividends for the University
and its many communities, with the University playing a pivotal role in
a range of initiatives designed to forge links, foster partnerships and
deliver real social and economic benefits to the citizens of Bradford
and beyond.
The Third Mission Associate
team (Business Associates), recruited in 2001/2002, has led to increased
consultancy sales, contract research and engagement in technology transfer
programmes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (formerly Teaching
Company Scheme).
 The
University has continued to work closely with the Regional Development
Agency, Yorkshire Forward, and other partners to secure substantial investment
that will strategically enhance the University's capacity to work with
companies and contribute to the regional economy. £6m in funding was secured
for the Institute of Pharmaceutical
Innovation (IPI) including £1.13m from project allocation funds (HEFCE),
£2m from Yorkshire Forward, £2.63m from the Science Research Investment
Fund (SRIF) and £280,000 from other funds. The facility offers state-of-the-art
facilities to sustain biochemical, pharmaceutical and chemical research
in addition to establishing a business incubator facility for emerging
bioscience companies.
In addition, £660,000 was secured
to create the region's Centre for Industrial Collaboration (CIC) in polymer
engineering, linking world-class research expertise and equipment with
companies of all sizes in the Region and nationally, and £400,000 was
obtained to purchase motion capture equipment identical to that used in
the latest Star Wars films as part of the innovative Simula project.
 A
new initiative, 'ThinkBusiness@Bradford'
was launched to encourage students and graduates to develop their enterprise
skills and start up their own businesses. Over the course of the next
three years 'ThinkBusiness@Bradford' will make enterprise learning opportunities
available to all Bradford students, build a new business incubator for
up to 10 trading companies and create at least 35 new businesses working,
trading and creating new opportunities and wealth in Bradford.
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