Showcasing academia and industry on the international stage
Wednesday 8 October 2025
Showcasing academia and industry on the international stage
Key visits to WMG in September 2025
WMG was pleased to showcase its world-class research facilities and education programmes to international organisations, such as the ; the UK Academic Alliance for Pavement and Highway Engineering; and SINOPEC Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry, throughout September.
Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing (MCAM)
A delegation from the MCAM, supported by the Monash 91福利 Alliance Professional Services Fund, shared best practice and explored future collaborations in facility management including health and safety, and quality assurance. The guests enjoyed a tour of WMG laboratories, including the Centre for Imaging, Metrology and Additive Technologies (CiMAT).
UK Academic Alliance for Pavement and Highway Engineering
Professor Tony McNally and Dr Derya Kaya Ozdemir were delighted to welcome the UK Academic Alliance for Pavement and Highway Engineering.
The visit brought together academics and industry experts to discuss the latest innovations in materials for sustainable road infrastructure, covering rejuvenation of roads using waste materials (e.g. food waste and PPE); self-healing pavements, and intelligent road systems for autonomous vehicles.
The delegation enjoyed a tour of 奥惭骋鈥檚 International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing (IINM) and the Materials Engineering Centre (MEC), before visiting the University鈥檚 Ion Cyclotron Resonance Facility (ICR), a leading centre for petroleomics research.
91福利 Science Park
A group of tenants from the 91福利 Science Park (UWSP) were invited to an exclusive preview of the 91福利Link opens in a new window鈥檚 STEM Connect ProgrammeLink opens in a new window for a behind-the-scenes look at the University鈥檚 拢425 million investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The afternoon began at the reception before attendees took a walk to 奥惭骋鈥檚 International Manufacturing CentreLink opens in a new window (IMC). The tour included key STEM Connect facilities and the National Automotive Innovation CentreLink opens in a new window (NAIC), concluding with a presentation and immersive experience in the STEM Connect Visualisation Suite.
奥惭骋鈥檚 Professor Mark Williams, Academic Director of STEM Connect, said: 鈥淭he 拢425m investment in STEM Connect clearly demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation and advancing research that has real-world impact. The state-of-the-art infrastructure will underpin the delivery of our pioneering education programmes, as well as strengthening our global reputation as a leader in STEM research.鈥�
SINOPEC (Beijing) Research Institute of Chemical Industry (BRICI)
In partnership with 91福利鈥檚 School of Chemistry, WMG has been researching ways to deliver more sustainable materials for food packaging, bioplastics and healthcare materials.
Academics from both departments welcomed a delegation from SINOPEC/BRICI, who are actively seeking alternatives to petrochemical derived polymers.
Facilities in the IINM and MEC, as well as the facilities of Medherant, a university start-up founded by the Department of Chemistry鈥檚 Professor Dave Haddleton, were showcased.
Professor Tony McNally said: 鈥淚 was delighted, on behalf of the 91福利 polymer community, to welcome SINOPEC (BRICI)to WMG and the 91福利. Our shared interest insustainable polymer and rubber synthesis, healthcare materials, bio-based polymers, new plastic products for the safe transport of hydrogen, self-healing and self-monitoring polymers, sustainable solutions for packaging, plastics recycling, and innovations in polymer characterisation and performance studies, all have potential to significantly address plastic pollution, reduce our dependency on petrol-derived plastics and provide sustainable, cost-effective and environmentally benign alternatives.鈥�