Ministry of Defence
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Calling all 'Qs'
BUDDING 'Qs' who think they could supply the armed forces of the future with high-tech gadgets and gizmos should attend a forthcoming innovation day at Glasgow University.
The Ministry of Defence is eager to engage with Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as individuals or academics who think they can provide a solution to future defence technology needs.
Head of the Centre for Defence Enterprise, Dr Helen Almey, said:
"The Support for Operations seminar is our way of taking the Centre for Defence Enterprise on tour to tap into expertise in science, technology and innovation from across the UK.
"There is a strong tradition of research and development in Scotland and we hope to be able to build on this to ensure our front-line forces have the best battle-winning technologies for the future.
"We can only do this by working with the science and technology community, to reach beyond our traditional defence suppliers as we know there are talented individuals and innovative companies out there."
Dr Almey will be attending the Support for Operations Seminar on 19 November, along with Dr Chris Mace, Director General Science and Technology Operations. Armed Forces personnel who have recently returned from operations will also be attending to give a first hand view of the challenges they face.
Five similar, successful seminars have already been held, which were attended by more than 600 people representing over 200 different organisations.
The Glasgow event is being held jointly by the University of Glasgow and the Ministry of Defence Centre for Defence Enterprise, where innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, plus small, medium or large businesses can discuss ideas that could contribute to any aspect of the UK's military capability.
The Centre for Defence Enterprise was opened in May 2008 and has already received more than 130 proposals, all of which will be considered and assessed by MOD's experts.
Proposal submissions are all completed online through the website http://www.science.mod.uk and feedback is provided in just a few weeks. In the first six months the Centre has approved contracts and recommended proposals worth approximately £1.7M.
Dr Almey added:
"The Centre for Defence Enterprise and the UK-wide seminars are a way of showing a practical commitment to innovation, to improve the capabilities of the armed forces and to UK Industry.
"Our task is to anticipate, prepare for and meet the forthcoming challenges by being highly innovative, agile and flexible in our approach to defence science and technology. We can only do this by actively seeking innovative and exciting ideas and contributions from across industry, academia and other enterprises."
Notes to Editors:
1. The Support for Operations seminar is being held at the Kelvin Gallery at the University of Glasgow on 19 November between 10am and 5pm.
2. For more information about business and enterprise at Glasgow University, log on to the Innovation Network Research & Enterprise at http://www.gla.ac.uk/businessandindustry
3. People can register their interest in the seminar by emailing innovationnetwork@enterprise.gla.ac.uk
4. Discussion topics during the seminar include: An introduction to the Centre for Defence Enterprise, support for Land, Sea and Air Operations and the MoD Technology Research Programme
5. For more information about the Centre for Defence Enterprise or to submit a proposal, individuals and businesses can log on to http://www.science.mod.uk
6. The Centre for Defence Enterprise is located in Harwell, Oxfordshire.
7. For further information, contact Sonia Marshall in the MoD press office on 0207 218 2957
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