New Temple Meads campus development receives £20mn funding boost

By Maggie Sawant, SU Correspondent

The University’s plans to create a technology innovation centre at the Temple Meads campus have been strengthened by a £20mn investment

This investment will extend the campus’s Quantum Technology Innovation Centre (QTIC+), the world’s first dedicated open access innovation centre facility for developing a broad spectrum of quantum technologies.The money will aid the QTIC+ in its development of new businesses, products and services, as well as in its exploration of emerging applications for quantum and other disruptive technologies, taking them from the lab into the real world.

‘The new QTIC+ facility will further enable the region to become the go-to-place for development, commercialisation and growth of businesses' - Professor Guy Orpen

It is hoped that the investment will help to position the West of England as a global leader in deep tech innovation and will enhance the University’s reputation. Bristol was also recently named the UK’s leading ‘tech hub’ last month, with the city’s tech businesses turning over £7.9bn and employing almost 25,000 people as of 2018.

The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus aims to capitalise on the city’s growing tech industry, by bringing together researchers, businesses and communities with students, entrepreneurs and users of technology. The campus will be open to students and the public alike and will join the city centre to the east of Bristol with new walking and cycling paths.

Two academic buildings will be located at the new campus, as well as one new halls of residence. Professor Guy Orpen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for New Campus Development, said: ‘The new QTIC+ facility will further enable the region to become the go-to-place for development, commercialisation and growth of businesses.'

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles, also said: ‘The West of England's innovation, ingenuity and creativity, alongside a highly-skilled workforce, fed by our universities, ensures we are a major force in the global marketplace.’

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