Exclusive Q&A New Model in Technology and Engineering | NMiTE New University Posted on: February 26th, 2019 New Model in Technology & Engineering (NMiTE) are an exciting new University set to open its doors later in the year. We’re delighted to have Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, Chief Executive, speaking at our event in Worcester next week – where we’ll hear about the institutions vision, its input into driving economic growth, and their future plans for the estate/campus. Ahead of the event we hear exclusively from NMiTE: Do you think the University could be a catalyst for new advanced manufacturing parks, science parks and more across Herefordshire? Yes the University will be a catalyst in many ways. We will be locating our campus site at Rotherwas, Hereford, the business and science park on the Enterprise Zone. Our intentions are to engage with the business community and SME engineering businesses in particular, where in partnership with companies we will be sharing equipment, ideas, and developing real solutions for companies so that our learners get real-life experiences of working on tasks/projects that have a direct impact on the operational side of those partner organisations. Your vision is to grow to 5,000 students within 10 years’ – do you have an estates masterplan already mapped out for this expected growth? We have an outline strategy of our requirements and we are working with the Council, having jointly commissioned a study on the Design Specification for the City taking into account the diversity of needs and planning requirements for NMiTE’s growth plans over the coming years. How would firms interested in working alongside NMiTE on their estates development get involved? Developing the Estate – There will be opportunities to discuss what our immediate needs will be for teaching and student accommodation. Developers and building contractors can get involved by sending us details of their interests in terms of being a supplier, contractor, developer, and/or funder/financier. Partner in Learner Engagement – Companies may be interested in engaging with the delivery of our curriculum by working with our students, signing up to projects, and other business development opportunities. Donations – As a start-up organisation we are always looking for donations either in cash or in-kind and therefore we will be interested in anything you have to offer. There are a number of underrepresented groups within the construction and property industry including women, people from ethnic minority background, people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQ+ community. Where does the Universities role fit in helping increase the number of people from these underrepresented groups? NMiTE has Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in our DNA, and aims to have, as a minimum, gender balanced student cohort – something not heard of in traditional HEI Engineering courses. This will directly impact on diversity in professional engineering in due course. We are currently developing EDI policies that will ensure we actively embrace and promote this in all we do. New Model in Technology & Engineering (NMiTE) is the first new university in Britain for more than 30 years. Tell us a little about the University and it’s USP? NMiTE aims to be the first wholly new university in the UK for 40 years, however we are more than just a new university. With backing from government, educators (including University of Warwick) and industry, NMiTE looks to transform engineering higher education. Degrees will consist of collaborating in teams to solve real-world engineering problems. There will be no exams and no lectures. An education at NMiTE will prepare learners for the world of employment by working directly with a diverse range of industry partners spanning multiple specialisms. Graduates will be creative, independent and life-long learners. Of course, NMiTE’s location is paramount to the project. Situated in Hereford we aim to fully integrate into the city and become an important part of the community by working with local businesses and using local services. Find out more about their plans and come and speak to the University at the Hereford & Worcester Development Plans Conference. Click here to register for the event.
