Innovate UK and the Science and Technology Department of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM) will fund UK and Shanghai companies to work together on joint innovation projects. This is to create new collaborations in global growth sectors and support further business development opportunities between the 2 countries.

The funding comes from a joint UK-Shanghai competition for:

• future cities solutions relating to rapid urbanisation, demographic and social change, resource scarcity and climate change
• new and novel products, processes or services drawn from any technology, engineering or industrial area. There was a particular interest in healthcare and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and green technology

Smart overseas collaboration

Winning projects include:

• Worcestershire-based Teer Coatings Ltd and Shanghai Aerospace Equipments Manufacturer, who are working together on coatings to prevent fungal and microbial growth on the surfaces of manned spacecraft
• Oxford-based Genefirst and Fosun Med-Tech, who are developing a non-invasive test for cancer gene mutations
• MatSurf Ltd, from Cumbria, and Xinke Environmental Protection Science & Technology Company, who are creating a range of intelligent filter systems to tackle air pollutions. This includes exhaust and factory emissions

Dr Ruth McKernan, Innovate UK’s Chief Executive, said:

Collaboration is essential to innovation. Smart overseas collaboration can greatly accelerate its impact and benefits.

We have taken the lead in working with Shanghai to help exceptional UK businesses build the partnerships they need to shape the future of global technology.

Working together

The projects were given the go-ahead this week during a joint signing by senior officials. This included Innovate UK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Kevin Baughan, and STCSM’s Zhang Weimin, Vice Chairman, He Shangyan, Deputy Director – International Cooperation Department and Xu Jin, Director of Administrative Office.

Also in attendance were He Jun, Director General of Shanghai Consulting & Academic Activities Center for Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Ma MingGeng, First Secretary (Science and Technology) at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and Shao Sili, Deputy Director of Shanghai Technology Market Management Office.

Innovate UK’s Ewa Bloch Kevin Baughan and Katrina Heyter.

Understanding the market

The UK and China are increasingly working together as strategic partners. In September 2016, the UK was chosen as Country of Honour at the Pujiang Innovation Forum, China’s leading innovation conference. Science Ministers of the UK and China, Jo Johnson and Wan Gang, both attended.

One of the world’s largest ‘super cities’, Shanghai has a population of 22.7 million and GDP of 320 billion. It is home to 55 major universities and colleges, 33 State Key Laboratories, 11 Chinese Academy of Science Institutes and 2 high-tech industrial zones.

Rona Fairhead CBE is new Minister for the Department of International Trade and Sir Theodore Agnew DL is Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department for Education.

The Queen has been pleased to approve that Lord Keen of Elie be sworn of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council.

The Queen has been pleased to approve that The Honourable Lord Justice Deeny Knight and The Honourable Lord Justice Stephens Knight be sworn of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council following their appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal.

Around 800 school children are better prepared for flooding following vital Environment Agency information sessions.

Community Engagement Officer for Cleveland, Sarah Pearce, led assemblies at schools across the area last week to help pupils understand flood risk and know what to do in a flood.

The schools involved were Handale Primary School at Loftus, Rift House Primary School in Hartlepool and Oxbridge lane Primary School in Stockton-on-Tees.

She was joined at Rift House by Coun. Marjorie James, Hartlepool Council’s representative on the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

Sarah also launched a competition for school pupils to design a new logo which will be worn by Community Flood Wardens throughout the North East.

Awareness raising

Sarah said:

It’s hoped that through these sessions with children I will raise awareness of flooding and issues associated with flooding and will be able to pass on key safety messages to young people.

Working with schools means children can be educated about what it means to be flood resilient and ensure the messages delivered have a long-term impact in flood risk areas.

It’s absolutely vital that future generations understand flooding, what we do during a flood and what they can do to stay safe.

The Flood Warden Logo competition is being run right across the North East with schools taking part from the whole area. Once the winning design has been selected this will be printed on to the new Flood Warden jacket which will be presented to all flood wardens to wear during a flood incident.

Helping communities be resilient

Sarah is one of four Community Engagement Officers for the North East appointed by the Environment Agency to help communities to be more flood resilient.

Funded by the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (NRFCC) for the next four years, the officers are working alongside partner organisations to help support communities.

Sarah works closely with Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit, and her work includes helping businesses and residents to understand their risk of flooding and ensuring those in flood risk areas are signed up to receive free flood warnings.

She’s also helping communities prepare themselves for flooding, such as supporting them to develop community flood plans and recruit volunteer Flood Wardens in at risk communities.

To find out more about your local flood risk and sign up to the Flood Warning Service Visit the gov.uk website

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