InnovateFest set for Staffordshire University

HUNDREDS of businesses from across the West Midlands are being invited to take advantage of the expertise on offer at Staffordshire University.

A free open day, named InnovateFest Spring 2010, will give local companies the opportunity to discover how innovation can help them develop and improve.

The event, being held at Staffordshire University’s Beaconside campus, Stafford, will be opened by the Vice President of O2 Group/Telefonica Europe, Mike Short, who is a leading figure in the mobile phone industry.

Professor Adrian Low, Faculty Director of Research Resource and Enterprise for the Faculty of Computing Engineering and Technology, said: “We are expecting around 250 businesses to visit throughout day and they will be given talks and ideas on how to improve and develop their businesses through new and innovative solutions.

“Staffordshire University has a great deal to offer the business community, both locally and nationally, as our previous and current partnerships have proved. Events such as InnovateFest are a great way of forging many new partnerships within the business community.”

Working alongside a wide range of businesses, the Faculty has over 60 researchers, 140 academics and a dedicated innovation team.

Previous partnerships have led to important advances in medical technology, such as an electronic insulin injection pen that helps diabetics keep more accurate records of how many doses they have taken throughout the day.

Among their many successful collaborations, the Faculty have also helped to make improvements to a device that detects underground cables – reducing the possibility of serious injury on construction sites. 

Professor Low added: “The opportunities available to businesses through working with Staffordshire University are vast and we hope as many come along to InnovateFest as possible, to see exactly what is available to them.”

The event will include presentations and demonstrations in mobile technology, intelligence, information and security systems, energy efficiency, technology in media, and medical technologies.

There will also be funding seminars, Faculty tours, and consultations, among other programmes.

InnovateFest Spring 2010 takes place on Wednesday, March 17, from 11am to 6pm, in the Octagon Building on Staffordshire University’s Beaconside campus, Stafford. Business representatives can drop in at any time and join the rolling programme of free events. There is also a free buffet.

Those wishing to attend are asked to register online at www.staffs.ac.uk/innovatefest or by calling 01785 353439.

One-to-one consultations are also available but places are limited. These will be allocated on a first come first served basis.