Research and Enterprise, Issue 9 - University of Teesside

Research and Enterprise
26
>DIGITAL TEESSIDE
EUROPEAN UNION
Investing in Your Future
European Regional
Development Fund 2007-13
In the digital
spotlight
✒
Teesside built its fame on the back of iron and
steel, but it is now one of the country’s major
centres for manufacturing digital talent.
So says Dr Jim TerKeurst, Director of the
Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) based at
Teesside University, who points to the remarkable
success of the DigitalCity Fellowship scheme.
Since receiving a major cash boost of nearly
£6m from the European Regional Development
Fund, One North East and the University, the
Fellowship scheme – which provides facilities and
mentoring to turn fledging business ideas into
commercial undertakings – has launched over
160 companies.
‘We were turning out a new company every
week and passed the 100-mark last summer,’
says Jim. He has played a key role in
Middlesbrough’s DigitalCity initiative since
coming to Middlesbrough, via Dundee, from
North America four years ago.
‘Together with our partners at Middlesbrough
Council and throughout the region, we have
turned the Tees Valley into a world-class centre for
digital innovation.
‘Many of the new enterprises have been
launched by our graduates and staff, and are in
the fields you might expect – computer animation,
web design and advertising. But more and more
are in new areas like nanotechnology and
forensic science (see on page 5). We’ve also got
a new company offering online support to help
organise big events, such as weddings.
‘We’ve recently helped Tees Valley Dance to
develop engaging software to help teach dance
to young children which is going to be launched
commercially.’
Jim says it’s ‘fantastic’ to be based within
Teesside University and in Middlesbrough. ‘We’re
situated in the Phoenix Building on campus and
facilities are just perfect.
‘The University has a strong industry focus. It
really helps that it puts support for enterprise right
at the top of its agenda.
‘It’s home to some of the best students in
the digital domain and we’re doing some great
research in our area. I love the fact that we are
helping to retain graduate talent in the region,
playing a key role in economic regeneration here
in the North East of England.
‘We have the annual Animex festival, which has
become one of the top international events for
animation and computer games in the world. And
it’s great to see how AnimexPro in Newcastle,
aimed at business people, is taking off.
‘We’ve also hosted the second TEDx event this
year and done a lot to help communities and
individuals move into digital media through
initiatives like our Digital Champions.’
Jim is in no doubt that as steelmaking returns
to Teesside and the chemical industry weathers
the storm of the recession, digital technology is
an excellent third string to the area’s
manufacturing bow – and one that is getting
considerable national attention.
‘We’re certainly on the map, leading an
international project to bridge the gap between
universities and the creative industries’, said Jim.
This two-year Atlantis programme is funded to
the tune of €140,000 by the EU and the US Fund
for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
It will see Teesside University work with colleagues
from Högskolan Gävle in Sweden and the
Universities of Iowa and South Carolina in the US.
The findings will be delivered to the US Senate
and the European Commission’s Culture and
Education Directorate General to help inform
policy development in educational partnerships
with the creative industries, in turn making
students more employable.
‘Teesside was chosen to lead the project
because of its reputation as a leader in digital
fields like visualisation and DigitalCity’s success
in helping graduates launch new companies,’
says Jim.