Birmingham Science City will:
draw on the strengths of the region’s top-class universities, as well as other key research facilities within the region.
through activity such as sourcing new technology and working closely with businesses and public sector clients, help achieve improved prosperity and quality of life.
make the initiative not just a short set of projects but a long-term vision that will contribute to the region’s economy and people’s quality of life.
ensure that the focus of activity is on the city-region but also recognise that there are significant strengths in the rest of the region and that Science City can meet the needs of businesses and the public sector in the rest of the West Midlands.
promote knowledge exchange among colleges, schools and other learning organisations, so that there is better access to skills by the science and technology community.
raise the profile of our strengths and expertise so that we demonstrate the value of locating in the West Midlands to start-ups, growing businesses, inward investors and public sector bodies.
The Innovation and Technology Council identified the following five priority themes:
These will influence the focus on the five key action areas:
Research Base: The aim is to achieve world-class critical mass, with a focus on application research including joint research with businesses of all sizes. Collaboration with partners outside the region will also be needed.
Knowledge Transfer: The development of more effective knowledge transfer between the science and technology base and companies of all sizes and the public sector, and vice versa.
People / Skills Base: Developing the people / skills base to meet the current and future needs of the economy, stimulating demand from employers to raise skills levels and prioritising technology education in schools, colleges and higher education.
Understanding of Science: Developing an understanding of science across the population, encouraging more young people to see the value of science and technology, so that they choose to study these subjects and consider taking up a related career.
Demonstrator and Flagship Projects: Projects that will help to deliver the vision and promote Birmingham as the hub of a science and technology-rich region. Examples are the development of strategic sites for science and technology parks.