Digital Cluster Highlighted by Government
Posted Date: Nov 10, 2009
A major report into the future of higher education has picked out the University of Salford’s Digital Cluster as a group which is leading the way in developing the skills needed by the UK economy.
The Higher Futures report, launched by Lord Mandelson last week, is a blueprint for how universities can remain world class, providing the nation with the high level skills needed to remain competitive, while continuing to attract the brightest students and researchers.
The Digital Cluster, which was founded in 2005, brings together the expertise of academics, researchers and practitioners from across the University, working in fields such as computer and video game design and research, digital animation, new media, virtual environments, mobile media, interactivity, and digital arts and cultures.
In the report the Cluster is picked out as an example of a way in which universities are supplying the skills for developing sectors of the economy which the Government would like to see extended across the whole sector.
By combining these areas of work it informs the University’s teaching and produces new research ideas and helps students become more employable in the media sector.
It is also important for the University’s confirmed 103,000sq ft presence at the MediaCityUK development at Salford Quays from 2011. The new space, located alongside five major BBC departments, will combine outputs from across different parts of the University to develop ideas and graduates that can take the media industry forward.
Recent work by the Cluster’s members has included virtual reality technology to be used in teaching, running a search engine marketing course for small businesses and contributing to a project to reduce energy loss from buildings across Europe.
Cluster director Dr Garry Crawford said: “It’s always pleasing when policy makers hear of our work and are prepared to commend it. In this case it’s even more gratifying as this report sets out the direction that the Government wants higher education to take in the future.”