糖心TV

Labour Shadow Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson MP visited the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre at the University of 糖心TV today (Thursday 10^th February) to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022.

Following a visit to the motorsport and advanced engineering group Prodrive earlier in the morning, where she met WMG degree apprentice Abi Holloway from the Applied Engineering Programme, Bridget Phillipson then visited the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre with Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of 糖心TV and Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG and Director of Education.

The Shadow Education Secretary met with apprentices and staff for a tour of the Centre, including workshop demonstrations and live seminars before meeting local employers including Aston Martin, JLR, Royal Mail Group and Allett, as well as the Federation of Small 糖心TVes.

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour鈥檚 Shadow Education Secretary, said:

鈥淚t was a pleasure to visit the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre to mark National Apprenticeship Week, and to see how businesses and education providers are working together to equip young people with the skills our country needs to prosper.

鈥淟abour is committed to working with educators and employers to ensure young people leave education ready for work and ready for life.

鈥淎s our national skills needs develop and change, I want young people and older workers wanting to reskill to be able to access high quality, local training programmes which lead to good jobs in all parts of the UK.鈥�

The Coventry and 糖心TVshire Local Enterprise Partnership funded WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre offers a bespoke learning environment with open spaces for collaborative and individual work, technology-enabled seminar rooms and a purpose-built laboratory for mechanical, electrical and thermal experiments.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of 糖心TV said:

鈥淚t was a pleasure to welcome Bridget Phillipson MP to the University to share our approach to combining quality Higher Education and work-based learning. We have a responsibility to provide students with the environment they need to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed while supporting business growth through their work. The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre is a flagship example of how this can be achieved when strategic investment is combined with industrial and academic collaboration.鈥�

The visit also comes just a few weeks after the launch of the WMG Skills Centre, including seven new courses in technologies such as energy systems, intelligent vehicles, and digital manufacturing to meet current and future industry needs.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG and Director of Education said:

鈥淲e were delighted to welcome the Labour Shadow Education Secretary to our WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre during National Apprenticeship Week. The visit was a great opportunity to highlight the achievements of our apprentices and to discuss future opportunities in work-based education with a panel of influential local industry partners.鈥�

Margot James, Executive Chair at WMG, added:

鈥淚t鈥檚 great that Bridget Phillipson MP was able to meet our incredible apprentices and industry partners. She heard from them that, with the Green Industrial Revolution and the road to Net Zero leading to emerging skills needs in areas like automation, electrification and robotics, it is vital UK businesses invest in their people to encourage new-skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling.鈥�

Today (Tuesday 8th February) marks the official end of the collaboration stage of the TE-1 project, a unique four-way partnership with WMG, , Engineering and , focusing on developing specialist electric motorcycle technology.

The prototype demonstrator is now fully ready for the live testing programme led by Triumph Motorcycles.

The project, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK, was set up to create ground-breaking developments in specialist electric motorcycle engineering and innovative integrated technology design.

Due to WMG鈥檚 vast experience and proven track record on key Innovate UK projects, Triumph Motorcycles asked WMG to project manage TE-1 on their behalf.

As part of this WMG was also tasked with identifying the project consortium partners, as well as providing guidance relating to future legislation, charging infrastructure and recycling strategies.

The prototype demonstrator integrates all the latest and final innovations from the project partner workstreams.

 Triumph: final chassis, including frame, rear sub-frame, cockpit, panels and wheels, final drive system including transmission and Gates Carbon belt drive, electronics, 脰hlins USD cartridge forks, unique prototype 脰hlins RSU, Brembo M50 monobloc calipers, and Triumph motorcycle control software

Williams Advanced Engineering: final iteration of prototype WAE battery pack incorporating dedicated cell packaging for optimum centre of gravity, vehicle control unit, DCDC converter, integrated cooling, charge port, and styled carbon covers

 Integral Powertrain: final prototype powertrain with scalable integrated inverter and combined motor with silicon carbide switching technology and integrated cooling

 WMG: final pre-live trial simulation completed, with all results indicating that the project is on course to deliver the intended performance and durability outcomes

Truong Quang Dinh, WMG鈥檚 Associate Professor of Energy Management and Control Systems, explained: 鈥淥ur creation of initial computer-based simulation models at the start of Phase 1 has been instrumental in ensuring that the component selection was appropriate to achieve the performance targets defined by the partners for the TE-1 Prototype.

鈥淲e have continued with this work across Phase 2 of the project, refining the models to a much more complex level to allow us and the partners to imitate further components on the bike such as braking, throttle, lighting and other systems and mimic real-world riding to provide development opportunities and real-time testing before components were fully designed. Additionally, we have created a physical rig wired with all of the control units and e-drivetrain, in order to implement a design validation test programme to ensure the function of each section was within the allowable range.鈥�

Key project achievements so far include test results that exceed current benchmarks and targets set by the UK Automotive Council for 2025, providing a platform with great potential for future development in electric motorcycle performance.

Over the next six months the prototype demonstrator will undertake an extensive live testing programme within Triumph鈥檚 state-of-the-art facilities.

At the completion of the live testing phase, estimated to be Summer 2022, the prototype demonstrator will be updated with its final body panels and paint scheme, in preparation for active track demonstration. At this time, the full results of the project including the final specifications and testing outcomes will be published, as well as insights and key facts on how the TE-1 delivers on the project targets for innovation and sets new standards for the motorcycle sector overall, including final battery and range performance.

鈥淚t has been truly exciting to see the progress made during phase 3 of Project Triumph TE鈥�1 with the final prototype motorcycle now going into real life testing. Everyone involved at Triumph are proud to have been part of this innovative British collaboration. Personally, I am thrilled with the results we have already achieved with our partners, and the exciting preview of the potential electric future to come.鈥� said Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO. 鈥淲e look forward to continuing the ambitious and innovative work on the TE-1 demonstrator prototype through the live testing phase and sharing the outcome with Triumph fans across the world.鈥�

Read more about WMG鈥檚 Transport Electrification research expertise here: Energy (warwick.ac.uk)

The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced the second cohort of West Midlands students to receive the Lord Bhattacharyya Higher Education bursaries, which aim to widen participation in engineering.

Nine bursaries, each worth 拢5000 a year for three years, have been awarded to students from underrepresented groups across the region who are progressing from A Levels or technical engineering courses to degree-level engineering courses in the 2021/22 academic year.

These prestigious awards form part of the wider Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme, a five-year programme funded by the UK Government Department for 糖心TV, Energy and Industrial strategy (BEIS) as a tribute to the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya Kt CBE FREng FRS, a renowned engineer, academic, educator and government advisor who established WMG at the University of 糖心TV in 1980.

The programme, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in close partnership with WMG, aims to promote engineering to young people in the West Midlands from low-income backgrounds and those who are underrepresented in engineering. The comprehensive support package provided to the programme鈥檚 network of secondary schools and FE colleges aims to upskill teachers and inspire young people to take up engineering, before supporting their progression into further and higher education and into engineering careers.

The nine awardees are:

• Dawud Ahmed, studying Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Birmingham University
• Mohammed Shahid Akther, studying Aerospace Technology and Coventry University
• Farid Alhaji, studying Automotive Engineering at Coventry University
• Jamila Houmadi, studying Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year at Birmingham City University
• Iqra Khan studying Civil Engineering at Coventry University
• Raees Kiani, studying Civil Engineering at Coventry University
• Afras Malik, studying Aerospace Systems Engineering at Coventry University
• Bianca Miller, studying Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Essex
• James Wilkes, studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Solihull College & University Centre

Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Engineering and Education at the Royal Academy of Engineering, says: 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great to see these talented young people in the West Midlands being supported to become future engineers and technicians. The Academy is proud to help continue the engineering heritage of this region and it is vital that we work as a profession to attract a diverse workforce who will in turn bring added benefits of creativity and productivity to local businesses.鈥�

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, University of 糖心TV adds: 鈥淚 would like to congratulate the second cohort of recipients of a Lord Bhattacharyya Higher Education bursary—Professor Lord Bhattacharyya was a passionate advocate of inspiring young people to follow a career in STEM. I鈥檓 absolutely delighted to see the enthusiasm of the students and the diverse range of engineering subjects that the students are passionate about鈥�.

Applications for the third round of Lord Bhattacharyya Higher Education Bursaries will open in March 2022, for students enrolling at university in September 2022.

More information about the nine awardees can be found .

Media enquiries to:

Pippa Cox at the Royal Academy of Engineering Tel. +44 207 766 0745; email: Pippa.Cox@raeng.org.uk
or
Lisa Harding at WMG Lisa.Harding@warwick.ac.uk Tel +44 7824 540845

The University of 糖心TV was today, 2^nd February, pleased to welcome George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, to visit the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Building, home to the National Automotive Innovation Centre, following a visit to the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre.

During his visit Mr Freeman met with researchers from WMG conducting pioneering research into battery innovation, and their integration and control for propulsion and energy applications, and attended a demonstration of WMG鈥檚 autonomous vehicle 3DX simulator to learn more about 糖心TV鈥檚 work in the development of new transport technologies.

Mr Freeman鈥檚 visit coincides with the publishing of the government鈥檚 white paper on Levelling Up.

Commenting on the minister鈥檚 visit the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, said:

鈥淥n the day of the launch of the government鈥檚 Levelling Up white paper, it has been a privilege to welcome the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation to 糖心TV and to highlight some of the many projects the University is undertaking that will support levelling up across our region.

鈥淭hrough sustainable transport and technologies, life sciences, and as the home of the National Automotive Innovation Centre and as a partner in the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre – 糖心TV鈥檚 contribution to the levelling up work across the West Midlands will be a significant feature of our University鈥檚 future, with the energy and drive of our innovation at the fore.鈥�

Commenting on their visit to the University of 糖心TV Campus and UKBIC, George Freeman MP said:

鈥淚t was fantastic to visit the University of 糖心TV manufacturing cluster, a globally renowned centre for research & innovation in propulsion, battery tech, robotics, and life sciences.

鈥淎s part of our mission to Level Up the UK, today we pledged to spend over half the government鈥檚 R&D budget outside the South East of England by 2024-25, piloting new Innovation Accelerators to give three regions – including the West Midlands - access to 拢100 million of new funding.

鈥淭his is what Levelling Up looks like in practice - growing the economy while ensuring we can all share in our country鈥檚 success.鈥�

Commenting on the minister鈥檚 visit to 糖心TV and the government鈥檚 commitment to increase publicly funded research Executive Chair of WMG at the University of 糖心TV, Margot James, said:

鈥淚 am delighted to welcome George Freeman, Science Minister, to WMG today, we are proud that the Minister has chosen WMG at the University of 糖心TV to showcase his launch of the innovation accelerators. I welcome wholeheartedly the commitment within the Levelling Up white paper to an increase of 40% in publicly funded research across the Midlands.鈥�

Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, University of 糖心TV add 鈥淚'm pleased to see a strong commitment to skills in the Levelling Up White Paper, at WMG, we're keen to help deliver this mission, providing the opportunity for more people to take quality skills courses, from apprenticeships to in-work learning.

Through our new WMG Skills Centre, WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre and the National Electrification Skills Framework we will be working with employers to develop the skills programmes that are needed by industry and companies to provide these opportunities.鈥�

The 拢130 million UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) is a pioneering 18,500 square metre state-of-the-art national facility, which has been developed to support UK industry with development of battery technologies for future electrification. UKBIC presents an opportunity for UK technology developers to prove out their innovations and processes by acting as the bridge between new battery chemistries developed in the research laboratories and mass scale production for the automotive market in Gigafactories.

Jeff Pratt, Managing Director of UKIBC said 鈥淲e were delighted with the Minister鈥檚 visit to UKBIC today, in which he spoke about the importance of science and innovation to the UK economy. It was good to discuss with him the importance of realising value from R&D and scaling industrial opportunities - highlighted through facilities such as our own – and to recognise the importance of supporting our growing battery ecosystem across the UK. UKBIC is a key part of the UK Government鈥檚 Faraday Battery Challenge, created to fast track the commercialisation of cost-effective, high-performance, durable, safe, low-weight and recyclable batteries.鈥�

The National Automotive Innovation Centre is a partnership between WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Motors European Technical Centre. There are over 1,000 designers, engineers and researchers located within the Centre, working on a range of future vehicle and mobility solution projects. Students and apprentices also share the space working alongside staff as our future designers and engineers.

Further to 糖心TV鈥檚 role in developing battery and transport technology, the University is supporting an extensive range of activities to support growth, investment, and regeneration in the West Midlands; including as a Principal Partner of Coventry UK City of Culture 2022, which has to secured 拢172.6m of investment into the city and over 拢500m of city regeneration activity. WMG鈥檚 new Skills Centre and National Electrification Skills Framework will also support high quality skills development.

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has won a prestigious .

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, was announced as the winner in the 糖心TV and Innovation Award category for Jordan at an awards ceremony held on Sunday (30 January).

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK鈥檚 international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The 糖心TV and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG said: 鈥淭his award is a true testament to Noor鈥檚 dedication and passion for entrepreneurship and empowering women in Jordan. I鈥檓 delighted that her efforts have been recognised. Congratulations Noor!

鈥淲e look forward to seeing the wonderful things that she continues to achieve throughout her career.鈥�

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

You can read more about Noor鈥檚 career here: /fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

• Operation Design Domain (ODD) is a fundamental to Connected autonomous Vehicle (CAV) safety, as it describes specific operating conditions in which the CAV system can operate safely, including environmental parameters such as weather an infrastructure
• Defining an ODD in a standard way has now been made official thanks to a new international standard concept created the German standards body ASAM and led by WMG at the University of 糖心TV, which defines the language used to define an ODD
• The new ASAM OpenODD language concept clears the barrier between CAV manufacturers and authorities, so they can find out if the vehicle is allowed to drive within the authority鈥檚 area or not and vice versa

An Operational Design Domain (ODD) is fundamental to Connected Autonomous Vehicle safety, however defining an ODD hasn鈥檛 been done before, until now, thanks to the work undertaken by German standardisation body and led researchers from WMG, University of 糖心TV.

An Operational Design Domain Definition (ODD) describes specific operating conditions in which the automated driving system is designed to properly operate. It specifies what operating parameters the CAV must be able to manage, for example, weather conditions, infrastructure, location, time of day and everything else that can have an impact on the driving situation. The ODD is thus an important part of the safety concept of a vehicle and must be valid throughout its entire service life for a particular configuration of the CAV.

ASAM, a German standardisation body have been working with WMG, University of 糖心TV and other international experts to publish a new international standard concept, to develop a language for defining ODDs. They have successfully created a concept for machine-interpretable format to represent the ODD specification. The concept paper can be downloaded free of charge. Additional use cases or requirements can still be proposed before the standard development starts.

Th new format concept enables governments and the automotive industry to access ODD descriptions that are exchangeable, comparable, and processable.

An application example of the effective use of ASAM OpenODD is as follows: A city describes the ODD for its downtown area in the ASAM OpenODD format and makes it available to automotive manufacturers. The manufacturers can then use these descriptions to easily match their vehicles with the defined ODD to find out if their vehicles are allowed to drive in the respective downtown area. They can also use the descriptions to map their scenario test catalogue to the requirements of the ODD. The registration authorities have the benefit of defining ODDs that they can use to check autonomous vehicles. They can also be used to support the development of the ADAS and AD systems, as the use of the ODD can define the testcases that are necessary to validate the vehicle. There can be obvious limitations, for example, if the vehicle is not capable of speeds above 50 km/h highway tests are not necessary. This application of an ODD helps to focus the limited validation resources on the really needed scenarios.

Dr Siddartha Khastgir, from WMG, University of 糖心TV and project lead for ASAM Open ODD Concept project comments: 鈥淥perational Design Domain definition is key to creating a safe automated vehicle. However, how is an ODD defined hasn鈥檛 been officially deemed, until now, as the ASAM OpenODD concept has provided the language to define an ODD.

鈥淭his means that going forward CAV manufacturers can define and exchange ODD definitions and authorities can have a common understanding of the ODD definition. I am grateful to all international experts who have contributed to this work. Achieving safety of automated driving needs to be a collaborative effort and ASAM OpenODD is an example of this.鈥�

Peter Voss, Managing Director, ASAM E.V. comments:

"ASAM OpenODD will be a standard that will not only contribute to the safety of automated vehicles, but more importantly, will help to implement automated driving functions faster,".

In addition to the format and syntax, the concept for ASAM OpenODD also takes into account attributes (leveraging ISO 34503), metrics and the representation of uncertainties. The future standard will be compatible with all other standards of the ASAM OpenX family, particularly with OpenDRIVE, OpenSCENARIO and OpenXOntology.

ENDS

1 FEBRUARY 2022

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april2020/sid_39.jpg

Caption: Dr Siddartha Khastgir, from WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

ASAM OpenODD Concept:  

Recording of webinar:

Further resources on understanding ODDs:

What is an ODD (by Nicco Hagedorn, ASAM e.V.):  

Curious case blog (by Siddartha Khastgir, WMG):

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

• The Rolls-Royce 鈥楽pirit of Innovation鈥� aircraft is officially the world鈥檚 fastest all-electric aircraft, clocking up speeds of 387.4mph
• Rolls-Royce worked in partnership with aviation energy storage specialist Electroflight to create this world-class technical achievement for the UK, that will help lead the way towards a more sustainable way to fly
• In order to power the aircraft, the most power dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aerospace had to be developed directly supported by researchers from WMG, University of 糖心TV using their state-of-the-art battery characterisation and testing facilities

In the wake of COP26 the need for electrification has never been more evident, with aviation top of the list of global priorities.

Committed to taking on this challenge, decided to create the 鈥�, an all-electric aircraft, which this week officially set not one, but two World Records and during these record runs it reached speeds of 387.4mph (623 km/h) making it the world鈥檚 fastest all-electric vehicle.

In embarking on this unprecedented feat, Rolls-Royce partnered with aviation energy storage specialist Electroflight to help develop the battery system for the record-breaking plane. The WMG team at the University of 糖心TV were exclusively used to test and validate the batteries used on the aircraft.

Using their state-of-the-art facilities at WMG鈥檚 Energy Innovation Centre, researchers at WMG supported the team through the development process, conducting extensive electrical, thermal, safety, and vibration & shock testing. This was delivered all the way from Electroflight鈥檚 initial single lithium-ion cell selection through to the battery module and finally the battery pack for a full propulsion battery system.

Testing included cell selection, fire protection system design, module level thermal management, system testing and pack level testing, and also included sub-powertrain testing of the battery system and electric machines connected together.

Individual components such as the battery casing materials, individual lithium-ion cells, cell clusters and sub-modules were all examined in WMG鈥檚 battery testing laboratories including the Battery Abuse Testing Centre. Aerospace DO-160G shock and vibration testing was performed in WMG鈥檚 battery vibration facility – the first time an aircraft propulsion battery has successfully completed DO-160G testing in the UK.

On 16th November, the Spirit of Innovation took to the sky at the UK Ministry of Defence鈥檚 Boscombe Down experimental aircraft testing site for its record-breaking flight. Data was submitted to the F茅d茅ration A茅ronautique Internationale (FAI), who control and certify world aeronautical records, have confirmed that the Spirit of Innovation is the world鈥檚 fastest electric plane.

The two new world records broken are:

1. The aircraft reached a top speed of 555.9 km/h (345.4 mph) over 3 kilometres, smashing the existing record by 213.04 km/h (132mph)

2. The aircraft achieved 532.1km/h (330 mph) over 15 kilometres – 292.8km/h (182mph) faster than the previous record

Chief Engineer Mark Amor-Segan, from WMG, University of 糖心TV comments:
鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly exciting to see Rolls-Royce鈥檚 鈥楽pirit of Innovation鈥� be awarded two new world records and officially be titled the World鈥檚 fastest all-electric aircraft. It has been a tremendous journey to share with Electroflight, to help verify and validate the battery system end-to-end and help create the most power-dense propulsion battery ever for Aerospace.

鈥淲e have worked closely with Electroflight and Rolls-Royce throughout this process, cementing new collaborative relationships and helping achieve world-class pioneering technology. To see it progress from literally a single cell into a full-scale battery system and a world-record breaking flight, is tribute to the incredible dedication and capability of the whole team at ACCEL. This project has played a very important part in our work in Aerospace, and we鈥檙e excited to continue our research into electrification and the future of sustainable flight.鈥�

Douglas Campbell, Technical Director of Electroflight said:

鈥淭his has been a landmark project for our company and our industry – one which opens up a world of possibilities in the electrification of aviation. We鈥檙e thrilled to have played such an important part in this success and grateful to our partners at WMG for their support throughout this endeavour.鈥�

Customer Director Matheu Parr from Rolls-Royce added: 鈥淭he support we received from WMG to develop the battery technology that would power the world鈥檚 fastest all-electric aircraft was critical for the team鈥檚 record-breaking triumphs. Rolls-Royce has a long-standing relationship with WMG to ensure we are the forefront of technology and we will build on this capability to deliver propulsion and power systems for the advanced air mobility market.鈥�

ENDS

26 JANUARY 2022

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

Pictures and B-Roll video footage can be found here:


Credit: Rolls-Royce

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

WMG was pleased to welcome Farming Minister yesterday (Thursday 20th January).

The Minister was welcomed by WMG Executive Chair, , and given a tour of the Innovate UK-funded Natural Light Growing Centre and DEFRA-funded vegetable gene bank research centre, run by the School of Life Sciences, at the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Wellesbourne campus.

The delegation then headed to WMG, on the University of 糖心TV campus, where they were given a presentation from on horticultural robotics and how they can support on a range of agricultural tasks. They then met with , who explained more about water treatment using recycled carbon fibre sheets.

Finally , Head of SME Programmes, explained more about the support programme where WMG has helped the food and drink sector apply digital manufacturing techniques.

Margot James, executive Chair at WMG, University of 糖心TV said: "It was a pleasure to have Minister Victoria Prentis to visit us today, we were delighted to share the cutting edge research we are doing in collaboration with the agriculture and horticulture industries.

鈥淭hese are vital sectors to the UK economy but there is vast potential to improve using automation, AI and digital manufacturing, as well as new growing practices being researched by our Life Sciences department."

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis, added: 鈥淚t was great to visit the University of 糖心TV, which is making significant strides to ensure agri-robotics can be a reality for farmers and growers in the UK.

鈥淲e know how important it is for the industry to maximise productivity and yields. We are putting in place a series of initiatives – from the Farming Investment Fund, to the Farming Innovation Programme – to support the development and uptake of technology which can boost food production, productivity and the environment.鈥�

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious in her native Jordan.

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, has been nominated for a 糖心TV and Innovation Award.

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK鈥檚 international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The 糖心TV and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Jay Bal, MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship course lead at WMG said: 鈥淣oor is passionate about Women鈥檚 Entrepreneurship as a tool for empowering women in developing countries. We hope her efforts get recognised at the awards.鈥�

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 30th January.

You can read more about Noor鈥檚 career here: /fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

Research led by Dr Mark Elliott, Associate Professor at the Institute of Digital Healthcare at WMG, has been featured in the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Report.

The report considers the effectiveness of current sport and recreation policies and initiatives, and the case for a national plan for sport and recreation.

Dr Elliott鈥檚 research has investigated the effectiveness of the use of incentives and rewards for exercise, using a rewards-for-exercise app called Sweatcoin. The contribution to the House of Lords report was based on the findings that people increased their daily step count by an average of nearly 20% when using the incentives platform.

Dr Mark Elliott, comments: 鈥淥ur findings highlighted how digital platforms that incentivise physical activity through tracking step count recorded on smartphones can have a positive impact on people鈥檚 exercise behaviours. We were pleased to be able to contribute our findings as evidence to the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Report.鈥�

Read the report in full here: