Murata, the world's largest global manufacturers of electronic
devices, has signed a deal with the University to work on a
research and development collaboration in the field of
nanotechnology. Murata is a major employer in Asia and currently
employs over 33,000 staff.
Japan is the second largest Asian supplier of Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) projects to the UK. It remains the most
significant investor from Asia and continues to supply world-class
innovation through high quality projects. In 2008/09, Japan
contributed 81 new projects and created 1,405 new jobs, the sixth
largest FDI source to the UK.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). and the
region's overseas team based in Japan together with UKTI have
worked closely with Murata since 2007, when they first indicated an
interest in forming an R&D collaboration in the field of
nanotechnology with a UK university, to secure this partnership for
the Northwest.
After detailed discussions with the NWDA and Professor Paul
O'Brien the company have selected the University of Manchester as
the academic institution with which they wish to form this
partnership.
Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director of Economic Development,
said:
"This research collaboration is great news for the University of
Manchester and testimony to the strength of the region's reputation
for research and development. The Agency has been working closely
with Murata for some time to secure this for the region and I am
pleased that work has now begun on the project, which may lead to
further investment by Murata in future."
Yukio Sakabe, Senior Corporate Advisor of Murata, said:
"We, Murata, feel very happy and honoured to be able to start
collaboration works with The University of Manchester, with help
from the NWDA. I am convinced that new technology and business in
the field of nanotechnology are realised in future from this
project collaborating with basic science of the university and
engineering of Murata."
Professor Paul O'Brien, Professor of Inorganic Materials at The
University of Manchester, said:
"I very much welcome this collaboration with Murata, which
provides access to skills and equipment in Japan and training for a
Japanese scientist in some leading edge aspects of nanotechnology
in my laboratories."
SOURCE
