A WMG PRESS RELEASE

PR 05/07  20 May 2007 

GORDON BROWN UNVEILS FOUNDATION STONE OF WARWICK DIGITAL LAB 

A major step in the building of an ultra high-tech facility at the University Of Warwick took place today when the UK’s Chancellor unveiled the foundation stone.

The Warwick Digital Lab is being built by WMG, the global innovation specialist based at the University, and will house a £50 million multidisciplinary programme of research, development and training.

Gordon Brown said: “WMG’s work is based on very strong collaboration with industry and provides a prime example of how the knowledge created in our universities can be transferred to make a difference in the real world.

“I am delighted that this pioneering facility is being built here at Warwick University where there is such a great history of innovation.”

The Digital Lab will be a unique facility in offering the most advanced technological solutions to issues in manufacturing, health, security and a whole range of other sectors. And at a ceremony on Sunday 20 May Gordon Brown unveiled the foundation stone for this iconic building.

The Digital Lab is scheduled for completion in summer 2008, although services to business will be offered later this year and three new professors have been recruited to run research programmes. The building is part funded by Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency and will involve close collaboration with Warwick Medical School.

Notes to editors:        

• WMG, an academic group of the University of Warwick, is a provider of innovative solutions to industry, supporting some of the most advanced research, development and training projects in the world. The group’s international programme of work amounts to £100 million annually – the biggest programme of its kind in the world.
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• Pictures also available from WMG, go to our image library at www.wmg.warwick.ac.uk (in the media centre).·        
• More information about the Digital Lab is available on the website: www.warwickdigital.org 

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