BCU partnership to promote links with Australia
Birmingham City University has joined forces with an Australian university to promite cooperation between the two countries and tackle major global challenges.
BCU and RMIT University in Australia put pen to paper on a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to drive innovation and economic development by connecting the arts with traditional scientific disciplines.
The institutions will work together to boost international research cooperation, technology and innovation transfer, student and staff exchange, commercialisation and training, across a range of sectors.
The initiative will build on Birmingham City University 's key work in developing STEAM thinking, which aims to embed the arts into traditional subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), to drive innovation, collaboration, creativity and economic growth.
As part of the new agreement, the partnership will establish a 'Commonwealth STEAM Challenge ', to coincide with the 2022 Commonwealth Games taking place in Birmingham.
The Challenge will task people with using STEAM thinking to explore how design can play an integral part in enhancing sport at all levels, and boosting the positive social and public health benefits associated with sport and exercise.
This will form part of a wider 'International STEAM Challenge ', focused on critical environmental and social challenges facing the world and bringing together students, faculty and commercial partners in the UK, Spain, India, Vietnam and Australia.
Julian Beer (pictured), deputy vice-chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: “Birmingham City University is delighted to be establishing this formal relationship with a truly international university such as RMIT.
“As Higher Education responds to a post-covid world and the challenges of climate change, the coming together of Birmingham City University with RMIT, signals a fresh and ambitious approach to teaching, learning and applied research that 's fit for the future. ”
The agreement was formalised during in a virtual signing event today, bringing together officials from both institutions.
The announcement also builds on Birmingham City University 's existing partnership with Indian motorbike and cycle manufacturer Hero Group, and the establishment of the Munjal BCU School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MBSI).
MBSI, also known as STEAMhouse India, was established to drive innovation in the Pubjab 's industrial clusters and promote entrepreneurship, and tap into the state 's workforce, as well as boost the potential of knowledge-intensive businesses.
RMIT has well established activities in India and across South East Asia, including its campuses in Vietnam, which will be a focus for the partnership with Birmingham City University.
RMIT deputy vice-chancellor Global, professor Peter Coloe, said: “As a global university of technology, design and enterprise, we understand the power of partnership in preparing our students for the realities of a rapidly-changing international landscape.
“Now more than ever, we need innovative solutions to tackle challenges at global scale, and we 're proud to work in partnership to help shape the leaders of tomorrow, so they in turn, can shape our world for the better. ”