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Earlier this year the UK Government recognised agri-tech, in its , as a key frontier industry within Advanced Manufacturing.

The recognition marks a pivotal shift by the government - acknowledging the sector’s potential to drive growth, enhance productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and reduce agricultural emissions - while prioritising a sustainable and secure food supply for the UK.

This also aligns with the (Defra) new food strategy for England, to tackle UK food resilience and enhance supply chains, while protecting nature and biodiversity.

ÌÇÐÄTV Agri-Tech, established in 2022, is a pioneering initiative that brings together the expertise of two leading University of ÌÇÐÄTV departments – WMG and the School of Life Sciences. By integrating advanced engineering with plant science, the initiative aims to shape the future of agriculture.

As part of this mission, ÌÇÐÄTV Agri-Tech has launched a new Pilot Facility featuring state-of-the-art robotics designed to support sustainable food production and accelerate agricultural innovation.

The Advance HE Teaching Excellence Awards are among the most prestigious in the world of higher education — and WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV, is proud to share that one of its own, Dr Freeha Azmat, has been honoured this year.

An Associate Professor and Reader in Engineering Education at WMG, Dr Azmat has been named a National Teaching Fellow for her outstanding innovations in engineering education and curriculum design, as well as her steadfast commitment to inclusion.

Freeha is now one of only three academics at WMG to have received Advance HE’s National Teaching Fellowship Award; she joins Professor Robin Clark, Pro-Dean International, and Professor Margaret Low, Director of Outreach and Participation, as a fellow.

Cutting-edge WMG scanning technology led by Professor Mark Williams featured in BBC Two documentary, The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice  

Advanced scanning technology developed by Professor Mark Williams and his team at WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV, plays a pivotal role in the powerful new BBC Two documentary series The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice.  

The two-part series, produced by Longtail Films and airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, reopens one of the UK’s most harrowing cold cases: the search for the final victim of serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, 12-year-old Keith Bennett. The documentary features never-before-seen documents and audio recordings, alongside new forensic investigations that challenge long-held assumptions about the case.  

Professor Williams is a leading expert in advanced scanning and imaging technologies, who contributed state-of-the-art forensic analysis to the programme. His team’s high-resolution 3D scanning and material analysis provided critical insight into key pieces of evidence uncovered during the investigation. The technology helped to scan an area of interest on the moors to identify anomalies and features in the landscape for potential body deposition sites.   

(IET), one of the world’s leading professional societies for engineers and technicians, has awarded professional recognition to the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree ApprenticeshipLink opens in a new window at WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV.

Accreditation was awarded following a rigorous review process, which looked at the programme’s content and delivery including its relevance, coherence, challenge, assessment, staffing, quality assurance, facilities and resources. This recognition underscores WMG’s dedication to providing high quality engineering education.

The BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship is aligned to the . The programme offers four specialist pathways, designed to best meet specific industry needs.*

Professor Kerry Kirwan has been announced as WMG’s new Dean, effective 1 August 2025. He succeeds Professor Robin Clark, who was appointed Dean of WMG in October 2020. Professor Kirwan comes to the appointment with over 30 years' experience at WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV. He has been a part of the department since he completed his second-year project as part of his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.

The UK and India signed the landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday 24 July, to foster greater research and scientific collaboration between the two nations. Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, and Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, share their thoughts on the deal.

Trials of Solihull's self-driving shuttle service are set to be extended after launching in March 2025 as part of the SCALE project. The SCALE project is a pioneering partnership led by Solihull Council and supported by WMG, and is one of nine projects to have received funding from the UK Government-funded Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder – Enhancements programme.

Cheers of celebration echoed across campus as staff and students celebrated the achievements of the latest cohort of graduates from WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV. A highlight of the University calendar and the pinnacle of every student’s academic journey, this year’s summer degree congregations saw 305 students awarded their degrees from WMG.

WMG at University of ÌÇÐÄTV was proud to welcome the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) last month.

Comprising over 20 representatives from some of India’s leading companies and education institutions, the Confederation was welcomed by Dean of WMG, Professor Robin Clark, before being introduced to ÌÇÐÄTV by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Stuart Croft. Talks and presentations by some of WMG’s leading academics followed, showcasing the depth and breadth of WMG’s diverse activities, plus its research and key strengths.

The Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme has been inspiring young people to learn about engineering and the rewarding careers it offers since 2020. Five years on, schools and colleges from the West Midlands have come together to celebrate its impact.

Led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in close partnership with WMG, University of ÌÇÐÄTV, the Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme provides a comprehensive package of engineering-focused science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) support. This includes grants to schools and colleges; teacher networking and CPD opportunities; funded industrial secondments; and individual FE and HE student scholarships.