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Digital innovation wins plaudits

12 November 2008

 

Former Chairman of the UK Design Council Sir George Cox said he found his visit to our prestigious new digital centre ‘an uplifting experience’.

Speaking as he officially opened the Phoenix Building, Sir George stressed that the world would overcome its current financial difficulties and predicted that regions such as the North East of England would flourish if they learn again how to innovate.

'We need more of what I have seen here today. Our future national prosperity is going to rely on harnessing our creativity and getting different skills to work together.

Exciting, fabulous examples 'The role of universities is to ensure that we don't turn out engineers who can't communicate or scientists who don't understand design. We need to bring different skills together and that's what I find so exciting by the fabulous examples of this in action today.

'I find it uplifting because it shows the way we should go and that Teesside thoroughly deserves its growing reputation.'

The high-tech Phoenix Building is home to the University's Institute of Digital Innovation and a growing number of talented creative companies pushing at the frontiers of digital technology, many of whom Sir George met.

Digital revolution The £12m building also houses key university Research & Development centres and Teesside's DigitalCity and the development is seen as key part in supporting the digital revolution that is helping to transform the economy of Middlesbrough, the wider Tees Valley and North East of England. It was built with financial support from the University, One NorthEast and the European Union.

Dr Jim Terkeurst, Director of the Institute of Digital Innovation, said: 'What's so exciting about the Phoenix Building is that we've got our DigitalCity fellows working alongside postgraduate students, world-class research centres and innovative digital businesses. Bringing all of these together has created a fantastic environment for stimulating digital innovation.'

Sir George started his tour by visiting the new TV and sound studio, complete with sophisticated visual special effects, and seeing himself having a lively discussion with himself in double-take. The sophisticated special effects available are some of the best in the North and certainly the best in a UK university.


 
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