University of Exeter KTP plays key role in the manufacturing process of the new Covid-19 vaccine

The project has meant that the equipment needed to create the new vaccine can be produced more efficiently and effectively.

University of Exeter KTP plays key role in the manufacturing process of the new Covid-19 vaccine

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Smart Manufacturing Ltd is playing a direct and key role in the production process of the new COVID-19 vaccine.

Experts from the University have been working with the Devon-based manufacturing company to optimise the production of some of the equipment used to create the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

The new vaccine was approved for use last week, with more than half a million doses of the vaccine ready for use from the beginning of January.

Smart Manufacturing is a small manufacturing company specialised in industrial equipment especially for pharmaceutical and food industries aiming to increase the efficiency and productivity of the customers’ processes.

One of the company’s customers, a Fortune 500 Company with operations in North Devon, produces highly specialised filters used in various pharmaceutical applications – including the new vaccine.

Via the KTP project, part-funded by Innovate UK, KTP Associate, Sam Abraham, has been working on developing and improving the equipment performances full-time since March.

Prior to this, he has applied his expertise to improve the production flow of ATEX certified products, and created a set of procedures to ensure their compliance with ATEX regulations which guide the design and operation of equipment in explosive environments.

The project has meant that the equipment needed to create the new vaccine can be produced more efficiently and effectively.

The KTP academic lead is Ion Sucala, Associate Professor in Engineering Management at the University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

”The right blend of academic and practical capabilities developed during the KTP helped in the design of a much more efficient process and that has been instrumental in the success of this project,” said Martin Murch, the Managing Director of Smart Manufacturing, “It has also put us in pole position in winning and executing similar projects in the future.”

Prof Ion Sucala said: “The KTP is a part of the wide-ranging collaboration between Smart Manufacturing and the University of Exeter which has been ongoing for more than 5 years. Not only has Smart Manufacturing benefitted from this partnership but also many of our students who undertake projects with the company and had first-hand experiences in a British manufacturing company. This has enriched their understanding of an SME manufacturing environment.”

Professor Zhongdong Wang, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, said: “I am delighted that the University, and colleagues in the College have played such a pivotal role in  helping to deliver this COVID-19 vaccine.

“KTPs such as this not only provide crucial support for businesses across the South -West region and beyond, but also enable researchers to share their expertise where it is most needed.

The work carried out by Professor Sucala and his team has made a fundamental difference to this project, and also highlights the value of long-term relationships with the University’s business partners.“

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme – which links forward thinking businesses with specialist academic teams to drive a strategic innovation project – has been running for 45 years and helped more than 14,000 UK businesses innovate for growth.

KTN plays a key part in the delivery of the KTP programme via a network of 31 specialist Knowledge Transfer Advisers who support each project.

The Adviser on this KTP is Dr Andy Treen who commented: “The knowledge and skills embedded by the KTP project will provide a firm foundation for future innovation by Smart Manufacturing in a number of industry sectors requiring ATEX compliance.

“It is fantastic that Sam and the team at Smart have been able to apply the KTP knowledge to support the critical scale-up of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine manufacturing programme.”

Date: 7 January 2021

Student Graduate Jobs Down by 12%

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The number of graduate jobs dropped by 12% in 2020 with the majority of employers anticipating further decline next year, reports Institute of Student Employers (ISE).

ISE Student Recruitment Survey 2020 reports that this is the largest fall in graduate recruitment since 2008/9 when the market contracted by 25%1. While patterns evident in the last financial crash are emerging, it is not straightforward repetition.

Mirroring 2008/9, some sectors have reduced hiring considerably while others such as the charitable and public sector has increased hiring (4%). Graduate jobs in retail and FMCG have seen the largest cut at 45%.

IT and engineering continue to struggle to source the talent they need. Nearly half (42%) of employers found it difficult to fill IT jobs in programming and development and 35% struggled to recruit engineers. Heavy competition and a lack of graduates with the necessary skills were the most common reasons.

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The data also shows the significant increased competition for jobs as seen in 2008/9. This year employers received 14% more applications for graduate roles and 9% more for internships and placements. Applications for school and college leaver roles also increased – by 8%.

The nature of the pandemic has meant that employers have had to make significant, and unprecedented, adjustments to their student recruitment. As offices closed, employers moved attraction, selection and development as well as the delivery of internships online.

Many have been forced to significantly reduce internships and placement opportunities this year – 29% and 25% respectively – the largest drop since ISE started collecting this data in 2010.

Employers also have a broader range of entry-level opportunities to manage due to the Apprenticeship Levy.

As a result the opportunities for school and college leavers (largely apprenticeships) have been relatively stable this year, increasing by 6%.

Similarly to graduate roles, employers found it difficult to recruit school and college leavers into IT programming as well as in more skilled trades. This was mainly due to the location of job opportunities and that school and college leavers find it difficult to travel or relocate to take them up.

Stephen Isherwood, chief executive of the ISE said: “We can see patterns from the last financial crash emerging, but the effect on the student labour market is not a simple replay of 10 years ago.

“Employers have had to make significant adjustments. As a result, graduate jobs do not appear to be collapsing and school and college leaver recruitment is holding up, but the decline in internships and placements is more worrying. Around half of placement students get rehired, so diminishing these roles damages the talent pipeline

“We mustn’t forget the students or ignore the lived experience of those who are struggling to cope with the crisis and to get a good start to their career. Covid-19 has turned many lives and career plans upside down. We must continue to offer opportunities so young people can develop and experience work, even if it is from students’ kitchen tables. And we look to the government to do all it can to ensure that the pandemic does not disrupt this key career transition from education to work.”

Should I stay or should I go.

University students across England have been told they should not return home for the new lockdown. But many have already endured enforced isolation, had their lecturers moved online and are now unsure if the lockdown will be extended into Christmas. For some the prospect of four more weeks away from home is just too much to bear.

Universities minister, Michelle Donelan, has written to students advising them to stay at their current accommodation to protect their loved ones.

But the National Union of Students (NUS) said they should be able to return home before lockdown begins on Thursday.

It said many students are concerned about the new restrictions and want the support of their families.

NUS president Larissa Kennedy said it is understandable some students will want to leave university accommodation during this “challenging period”.

She said the government must ensure students are able to travel home safely before lockdown starts in line with current guidance for the wider population, which allows people to move homes and form new households until Thursday, and “stop subjecting them to stricter rules than everyone else”.

Ms Kennedy said: “From online learning to long periods of self-isolation, often from shoebox rooms, students’ experiences this term have been far from what they were led to expect.

“Many have recently gone through accommodation lockdowns and the mental health implications of making students stay longer than they want or need to cannot be underestimated.”

‘Don’t want to put people at risk’

Abbie Hobbs and Hannah YardleyIMAGE COPYRIGHTHANNAH YARDLEY
image captionAbbie Hobbs (left) and Hannah Yardley (right) are staying on in Bournemouth

Hannah Yardley, 20, and her housemate Abbie Hobbs, 21, have decided to stay at Bournemouth University for lockdown in their off-campus accommodation.

“I’m staying because all my housemates are staying and I also live with someone who is doing the same course as me so it’s easier to do our work together,” said Hannah.

The psychology student from Overton, Hampshire, added: “I’m not too worried because I spent most of the last lockdown in halls and it was fine.

“However, if lockdown gets extended to Christmas, I probably will try to go home because everyone will want to be with their families and especially because my mum lives on her own. But I don’t know if this will be allowed and I don’t want to put people at risk.”

Abbie hopes to be able to go home to Marlborough, Wiltshire, for Christmas but only “as long as I wouldn’t be putting my family at risk”.

She added: “I think it will be more fun continuing to live with friends in Bournemouth during lockdown.

“I don’t think it will feel too different than with the current restrictions as we don’t really go out anyway.

‘No chance I’m staying over Christmas’

Will RobertsIMAGE COPYRIGHTWILL ROBERTS
image captionWill Roberts is staying in Sheffield to work as a care assistant

University of Sheffield student Will Roberts intends to stay in the city over lockdown to continue working as a part-time care assistant.

The 22-year-old has housemates who are also choosing to stay, but said students would ignore restrictions if it meant they could not return home for Christmas.

The international development student, from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, said: “It’s only meant to be a month and everyone knows students are going to go home for Christmas regardless of what happens.”

But he added: “If it came to Christmas and I wasn’t allowed to go, I’d still go home as I get tested for coronavirus every week at work.

“Also my housemates and I are quite careful, and we don’t have anyone else in our house.

“There’s no chance I’m going to stay in Sheffield for Christmas unless I’m working.”

‘I’ll be on my own if I don’t go home’

Matt WincottIMAGE COPYRIGHTMATT WINCOTT
image captionMatt Wincott thinks there is little point staying in Bristol during lockdown

Matt Wincott lives in a shared house with three other people who are all planning to go home for lockdown.

The 20-year-old, who is studying business and management at Bristol University, said: “I do not want to spend a month in Bristol on my own.

“Also, with all my lectures online I could be anywhere in the country, so it seems sensible to go home as it seems a safer place to be.”

He said the government advice “hasn’t been very straightforward”.

“I am meant to be in the university twice a week for lessons but with the majority of people I know going home I’m not sure how or if these lessons will proceed.

“As a final year student, the lessons are important, but I can’t justify staying in uni accommodation on my own to go into the university twice a week.

“The new rules have affected my decision hugely. With pubs shutting yet again Bristol has lost its last semblance of nightlife.

“I think I had my mind set from the first announcement. I feel maybe I could have stayed if my whole flat collectively decided we would but, as of now, two of them have already gone.”

‘It can get very lonely’

Lucy ColemanIMAGE COPYRIGHTLUCY COLEMAN
image captionReading University student Lucy wants to be with her parents

University of Reading student Lucy Coleman said she will spend lockdown at home rather than living at her university house.

The 21-year-old said she feels there is no point being on campus when her lectures are all online.

The mathematics student from Sherborne, Dorset, said: “When a second lockdown was announced my immediate reaction was to phone my parents to discuss it with them.

“If there are no sports or socialising it can get very lonely, so I just wanted to be with my parents.

“I know universities aren’t necessarily affected, but I feel they may end up closing the library and stuff.

“And if they extend the lockdown I definitely don’t want to be stuck here over Christmas.”

Easter Storage

If you’re going to be sticking around your student city this Easter (or even popping over to visit friends) then you’re in for a treat. Festivals, exhibitions, club nights and egg hunts all await you across the cities of London, Liverpool, Glasgow and beyond, ensuring you’ll never be bored (and it’s surely a welcome break from sitting in the pub from noon…).

EXETER

Exeter students may want to enjoy the fun of the Crealy Easter Egg Hunt, which offer tons of prizes to be won and over 10,000 Cadbury Creme Eggs to get your hands on. There’s also the Exeter Quayside craft market, which will feature local makers from the town including live music and lots of tasty Devon fudge.

Easter weekend is also a great time to get active with some outdoorsy activities. Try out Go Ape! In Haldon Forest or have a go at kayaking, climbing or sailing at the Haven Banks Education Centre, if you’re looking to experience something new.

Exeter Student Storage

its that time of year again. Exams are looming for many students. and the great getaway our Student storage service has helped 1000s of Students with Storage and shipping.

Last year a survey carried out by the Exeter international society found Stuff2move were the cheapest service across the board being the only service that collects from your room and a whopping 70% cheap-er than lovespace we also store locally so if you forgot your passport was in a storage box we can get it back within 1 hour something no other storage company can do most will be stored in a hub such as Birmingham collected by couriers or a van that may be back in Birmingham the survey also noted that we are the only company with no hidden charges some company’s charge a handling fee some charge for weekend or evening collections our service we supply free boxes and tape to your door free collection from your room locally stored free delivery back with nothing to pay until your return.

www.exeterstudentstorage.co.uk

 

Easter Storage

Looking For Easter Storage in Exeter we have been storing students belongings for over 10 years and are the No1 stop for students. We supply Free Boxes and Free tape you fill them we collect and deliver back for free.

Book online www.Exeterstudentstorage.co.uk

or call the team 01392 589 599

Info@stuff2move.co.uk

Are Stuff2move Really The Best Value ???

A student storage  survey carried out by Members of the Exeter International  Society carried out a price and Service comparison and found That Stuff2move Exeter student storage service came out not only the cheapest but the only  student storage service that collect from your room and a massive 70% cheaper than Love Space  the survey also found that Stuff2move have no hidden extras they came across a  Company charging a  £5 handling charge for a suitcase   a weekend delivery fee. Sunday collection or delivery was not available with most Stuff2move do not charge any extra for a Sunday Service. The Students also found  There Is no service apart from Stuff2move where payment is on return with No deposit on booking.

We have collected a number of students who have booked with stuff2move this year  after using other storage services last year who did not provide the service promised and hidden charges were added to there payment.

Exeter Student Storage simply the cheapest and best service. Thank you  Exeter Students.

 

 

Exeter Man and van

 

 

Exeter Students Accommodations are starting to fill Quickly

With accommodation for Exeter Students Filling Fast its time to think what’s available
For September In Exeter BUT BEAWARE SOME ARE FILLING UP FAST
We spoke to Irion Bridge Studios today and they were busy with Student bookings for Sept
STUFF2MOVE CAN GIVE IRONBRIDGE STUDENTS 10% DISCOUNT ON SUMMER STORAGE please see are page www.exeterstudentstorage.co.uk

Irion Bridge currently have availability for September starting from £175 per week, all bills

included + WiFi. Our website is http://www.crm-students.com/crm-acco…/…/iron-bridge-studios/. We offer a range of different studios and 3 different tenancy lengths. (41,44 and 51 weeks.)

Why store locally ???

Another reason to store your summer storage with us ….
A student was collected this morning (Sunday)
Some hours later she called to say she had packed important travel documents in her boxes we picked up (guessing a passport)
Because we are a local company who store the goods locally , we returned straight away to enable the student to retrieve the item and be able to travel that day
There were tears and thanks from the student who was in a bit of a panic
Some storage company’s store centrally and the goods could have been anywhere in the country by the time she called so this would have been a disaster for her and probably would have meant disrupted travel plans
We were happy to be able to sort out her problem and wish her and all our students safe travels and a great summer
Stuff2move – a local company who store locally.
www.exeterstudentstorage.co.uk