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The University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has been named Motorsport Valley's first STEM Racing Centre of Excellence in a new partnership with , Maaden and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Teamâ„¢, announced at the Aston Martin Technology Campus (AMRTC) on 1 July.

Opening in the upcoming academic year, the Centre of Excellence will serve as an open-access engineering hub, providing neighbouring schools and students with opportunities to develop practical skills in computer-aided design (CAD), CNC machining and aerodynamic testing using industry-standard equipment.

It has been another exciting month at ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, marked by international visitors from India, Azerbaijan and the United States, alongside key strategic visits to India and China.

WMG academics and ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ alumnae have launched a pioneering skills development programme to help Pakistan’s graduates become career-ready. Working in collaboration with fellow ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ alumna Dr Naima Quereshi (University of Education, Lahore), Dr Freeha Azmat, Associate Professor (Reader) in Engineering Education, and Dr Asima Iqbal, Assistant Professor and International Academic Integrity Lead, have created an initiative aimed at reducing the country’s skills gap by equipping young people with in-demand professional competencies.

Degree Apprenticeship programmes delivered by ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ have been recognised as among the strongest offered by any Russell Group university, according to newly released government data.

Figures released through the Government’s service show that ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ ranks among the top-performing Russell Group institutions for achievement rates in Higher and Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7) during the 2024/25 academic year.

WMG highlights  

Two courses offered by WMG ranked first in England:

• The Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist programme thrived with a 100% achievement, retention and pass rate.

• The first cohort on the Product Design and Development Engineer Standard on the Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering programmeLink opens in a new window succeeded with a 94% achievement rate.

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ strengthened its regional, national, and international partnerships throughout April, engaging with academic institutions, industry leaders, and representatives from international universities.

These meetings underpin WMG’s role in connecting academia with industry and highlight its ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation across the globe.

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) strengthened its regional, national and global relationships throughout March, meeting MPs, international university representatives, and business leaders.

The meetings highlight WMG’s crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, as well as its strong commitment to collaboration and innovation.

Below is an overview of some of the key meetings that took place.

In February, representatives from ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) met with MPs; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) leaders; and international guests, including colleagues from the PNB Research Institute in Singapore and Osaka University in Japan.

In celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Wednesday 11 February 2026), the Outreach and Widening Participation team at WMG hosted a special event at Coventry Transport Museum to encourage young women to pursue science. Over 180 female students from local primary and secondary schools came together to discover and celebrate the achievements of women, past and present, who have helped forge a path for today’s scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Academics at ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Manufacturing Group (WMG) hosted the department’s first dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) day, at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, in collaboration with NVIDIA and Dell Technologies.

With AI rapidly transforming industries and reshaping research, innovation, and skills development worldwide, the event was spearheaded by Dr Awinder Kaur, Head of Digital Technologies and Machine Intelligence across all education programmes at WMG.

Following discussions with representatives from NVIDIA and Dell about WMG’s AI vision, Dr Kaur identified the need for a strategic academia-industry engagement event focusing solely on AI.

During January, representatives from WMG met with MPs, local government officials, as well as staff and students from the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull, strengthening relationships across education, industry, and government.