Thai Ambassador explores collaboration at Manchester Uni Innovation Centre

Thailand’s ambassador to the UK visited the University of Manchester Innovation Centre (UMIC) this week to discuss collaborative opportunities.

Pisanu Suvanajata was at the centre to forge transnational education links and explore the creation of research centres in Thailand.

Mr. Suvanajata said after the visit: “During a fascinating tour of The University of Manchester Innovation Centre I was given insight into the state-of-the-art laboratory spaces which are home to a number of startups and SMEs.

“Fortunately, I was able to meet UMIC members of staff and some of the people behind a few of the start-up companies housed there.”

He added: “UMIC is certainly helping Manchester to further bolster the city region’s culture of enterprise and innovation.”

Mr Suvanajata was joined by Rithavee Plikarnon, assistant general manager of the country’s flagship airline Thai Airways, along with First Secretary Piyapathu Ruktanonchai.

The head of UMIC, Yvonne Loughlin, hailed the Thailand UK Ambassador’s visit as “inspirational”, commenting: “After a short tour of the UMIC facilities we sat down and discussed ways we could collaborate and work together, which is fantastic.

“We are very excited about what this collaboration will bring to both UMIC and to Thailand.”

She added: “For the staff at UMIC, as well as the innovative companies based here, it was certainly inspiring to meet the ambassador and his team and to share stories too.”

UMIC comprises three core facilities – the 86,500 sq ft Manchester Incubator Building, the 173,000 sq ft Core Technology Facility and the North Campus Incubator.

The latter, known as The Arches, is home to volunteering organisation Kaya Travel, IT company Greenlight Computer, communications firm Frontier PR, Big Data business Dexter Intelligence, software developer App Focus and education provider Siyemi.