UEL and Siemens launch pioneering white paper

The University of East London (UEL), in collaboration with Siemens and Times Higher Education (THE), has launched an insightful new white paper, “Industry-university collaboration: how campus developments benefit students and academia while creating sustainable impact”.  

This comprehensive report underscores the importance of collaboration between universities and businesses in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological and societal changes.

In a world where digitalisation and AI are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, the synergy between academic institutions and industry leaders is more crucial than ever. The white paper highlights how these partnerships can address shared challenges, drive innovation, and enhance societal outcomes.

Speaking of the University’s 10-year Vision 2028 strategic vision, Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of UEL, says, “Our vision as we enter the fifth industrial revolution is to increase the diversity of the talent pipeline and contribute to a greener, healthier, and fairer society. Industry partnerships are at the centre of UEL’s response to change, and we have expanded our industry partnerships by more than 850 per cent in the past five years as part of our Vision 2028 strategy.”

A significant aspect of this collaboration is UEL’s ambitious goal to achieve a Carbon Net Zero campus by 2030. As students increasingly seek out universities with strong green credentials, UEL and Siemens are working together to meet these low-carbon ambitions.

Universities are like small cities in many ways, so they face multifaceted challenges in achieving net zero,” explains Professor Broderick. “They require comprehensive strategies and concerted efforts across disciplines and functions to achieve meaningful emissions reductions and promote environmental sustainability.”

UEL’s partnership with Siemens is at the forefront of these efforts. Siemens supports UEL’s sustainability initiatives through comprehensive strategies that include green energy production, energy demand reduction, and electrification. This partnership covers initiatives such as a living laboratory that generates data on energy use and involvement in the University’s Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability. Siemens’ sustainability framework, established since 2015, provides UEL with insights and expertise to embed into their own strategies and curriculum.

“We achieve so much more with a partnership approach,” says Professor Broderick. “Universities are having to think more like businesses, we have the same topics on our minds. We’re both looking at digital transformation and our sustainability strategies. We can’t tackle huge challenges like net zero if everyone follows their own path.”

The white paper explores the many benefits of industry-academic partnerships, including:

Enhanced research opportunities and funding for universities as government support wanes.

Access to cutting-edge technology and real-world experience for students, boosting employability.

Development of innovative solutions to societal and environmental challenges through collaborative efforts.

Financially viable partnerships that deliver clear returns on investment for both parties.

UEL’s partnership with Siemens is focused not only on advancing sustainability and innovation but also on enhancing student career potential. This collaboration is a key element of UEL’s Careers First strategy, which aims to bridge the gap between education and employment. Siemens’ involvement includes the development of new degree programmes, such as a master’s in sustainable cities, workplace opportunities, designed to equip students with the skills necessary for future careers in sustainability. Siemens’ involvement ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge, addressing the skills gap in the renewables and energy management sectors.

The white paper explores how such collaborations can lead to significant societal impacts, driving social mobility and building social capital. The partnership builds on UEL’s Diversity of Thought Employer Partnership Programme which aims to improve opportunities for students from marginalised backgrounds, building a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

Professor Broderick highlights the impact on students. “This supports our careers-first vision, giving graduates opportunities to engage in professions that five years ago they might have had difficulty accessing.” Siemens’ support includes mentoring, internships, and hands-on industry experience, providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the green economy.

Throughout the white paper, the case is made clear: effective industry-university collaboration is not just beneficial but essential for future-proofing our societies and economies.

For more information and to read the full white paper, please visit Siemens Higher Education landing page.