Bangor University hosts training event for local business

Local companies that work across chemistry, life sciences and material sciences  came to Bangor University recently to attend the first training event  of the Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills (WINSS) held for local SMEs.

Left - right: Dr Alaa Elbetany, Project Co-Ordinator, Bangor University; Dr Raj Bhardwaj, Agilent Technologies; Dr Anna Codina, Bruker UK Ltd; Dr June Frisby, Project Manager, WIT, Dr Hongyn Tai, Project Manager, Bangor University.This small but fast-growing industrial sector is creating new and innovative products and services across a range of areas, including drug delivery, medical devices, biotransformation and biosensors.  These are industry sectors that are developing rapidly. They are already represented by a number of small companies in the region.  A crucial factor in the growth and success of these companies is the ability to source or maintain a highly skilled workforce. This enables companies to grow. It also acts as a catalyst to further investment and inward movement from other companies- who are also keen to appoint staff with the correct specialist skills and expertise. The WINSS project is providing a range of specialist skills training to develop the expertise needed by the sector.

Dr Mike Beckett, the Head of School of Chemistry emphasized the significance of WINSS project for providing the skill training opportunities to the local SMEs. Dr June Frisby from Waterford Technology of Institute (WIT), the WINSS project Manager, introduced the research and training program at WIT.  Dr Hongyun Tai, the event organiser and the leader of the WINSS project at Bangor, introduced the WINSS research and training program at Bangor University.

At the event, the expert speakers from Agilent and Bruker gave talks on two important analysis and characterisation techniques for molecules and macromolecules (Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)). The GPC and NMR workshops in the afternoon attracted good audiences, including those from SMEs.

The WINSS team from BU and WIT welcome local companies to experience the state-of-the-art facilities available to businesses at Bangor and Waterford.

WINSS is a €2.6 million project funded under the Ireland Wales 2007-2013 INTERREG IVA programme and managed in Wales by Bangor University’s School of Chemistry.

Publication date: 8 October 2012