The vital role that Imperial College London plays in the UK's industrial and economic success was recognised yesterday with a win at the inaugural Best of British Industry Awards.
The College received the Supporter of British Industry Award, which honours organisations that proactively engage with industry and provide it with the resources and support that make a demonstrable difference.
Imperial, the only academic body on the final shortlist of five, was founded 100 years ago with the mission of applying its scientific research to industry, a principle to which the College remains strongly committed according to Rector Sir Richard Sykes. He says:
"Strong partnerships between industry and universities are win-win for both parties and are also vital for the UK's economy, so I'm very pleased that our commitment to forging relationships has been recognised in this way. Places like Imperial are real powerhouses of expertise and innovation, and it is funding we receive from our industrial partners that helps us to make the breakthroughs. They in turn are able to share the financial benefits when our ideas make it out of the lab and into the market place."
With around £30 million a year in industrial research funding, the largest received by any UK university, Imperial has a strong track record in working with industry through collaborative research and consultancy.
Current successful partnerships include the Imperial-BP Urban Energy Systems project, which explores ways to improve the efficiency of cities, and the Systems Biology Industry Club, which fosters relationships between researchers and industrial partners with an interest in systems biology.
Imperial's Director of Business Development Colin Wyatt, who accepted the award on behalf of Imperial at a reception at the Tate Modern, says:
"Working with industry to ensure that our research really has an impact on people's lives has been a fundamental part of Imperial's mission since its foundation 100 years ago. The relationships we continue to build with our industrial partners are a fundamental part of the exciting progress we are making in areas such as drug discovery, cleaner energy production and biomedical engineering to name just a few."
The award was presented by Lord Bhattacharyya, who said:
"Many organisations besides companies play a vital role in fostering talent and enthusiasm for business. But few have the track record of our winner. It is a world-class centre of excellence for business education, renowned for developing new ideas and technology that help industry gain competitive advantage."
Professor Sir David King, Government Chief Scientific Advisor and one of the judges said there was a "unanimous feeling" that Imperial should win the award. "Imperial is on a very sharp upward trajectory. If we look at where it was ten years ago and where it is now, there is a massive transformation, especially in interaction with British industry."
The Best of British Industry Awards are organised by the Sunday Times, AMEC and the Work Foundation to celebrate the success of UK industry and raise awareness of the skills and opportunities that British companies offer.
Also shortlisted for the award were the Institute of the Motor Industry, Partnership Sourcing Limited, the Manufacturing Institute and North East Productivity Alliance.
More information and a full list of winners is available at: http://www.britishindustryawards.co.uk/
Notes to editors:
About Imperial College London
Rated as the world's ninth best university in the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 11,500 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.
Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
With 62 Fellows of the Royal Society among our current academic staff and distinguished past members of the College including 14 Nobel Laureates and two Fields Medallists, Imperial's contribution to society has been immense. Inventions and innovations include the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of our research for the benefit of all continues today with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle climate change and mathematical modelling to predict and control the spread of infectious diseases.
The College's 100 years of living science will be celebrated throughout 2007 with a range of events to mark the Centenary of the signing of Imperial's founding charter on 8 July 1907.