Rolls-Royce and Queen’s University Belfast have announced a new University Technology Partnership, which will drive forward aerospace innovation and technology, as well as training the next generation of experts for industry.
For more than 25 years, Queen’s has successfully collaborated with Rolls-Royce, focusing on modelling and simulation. Having developed fundamental design capabilities for Rolls Royce, the collaboration has helped to reduce the time it takes to design engines and enhanced the application of cyber security.
President and vice-chancellor of Queen’s University, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said: “We are delighted to be launching a new University Technology Partnership with Rolls-Royce.
“It is excellent that global leaders such as Rolls-Royce are recognising the world-class research that takes place at Queen’s.
Commercial, economic and societal benefits to Northern Ireland
“Partnering with Rolls-Royce brings commercial, economic and societal benefits to Northern Ireland and further afield. It also reinforces the contribution of Queen’s to the region, creating a bright future for everyone in our society.”
Professor Trevor Robinson, University Technology Partnership director at Queen’s, explained: “Over the last 26 years, the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s has had a very successful collaboration with Rolls-Royce, developing advanced technology in modelling and design for engine systems.
“More recently our partnership has expanded to include cyber security. This is a critical element of future systems, building on two decades of research expertise at Queen's Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT). With the inception of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in the Belfast Region City Deal, there are many new opportunities to deploy research ideas rapidly to industry.
“By formalising this partnership as a UTP, we will continue to focus on creating faster design capabilities, advancing modelling and simulation, and cyber security. The partnership will also go a long way in developing the next generation of experts for the aerospace industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop employability skills with exciting career prospects, bringing new high value jobs to Northern Ireland.”
Professor Mark Jefferies, head of research partnerships at Rolls-Royce, said: "Rolls-Royce has university partnerships across all four nations of the UK. This partnership with Queens in Northern Ireland is our new anchor in the region.
“Our company is growing, design time is speeding up, the use of technology is accelerating, and effective cyber security is essential. The technology at Queen’s makes our partnership very important. It will help drive forward innovation, as well as developing employability and skills. The products that we create at Rolls-Royce will last for decades, and we need a strong pipeline of talent to continue to deliver as a global leader in aerospace manufacturing.”