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The digitally-dedicated hub has just been officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in front of a guest list of VIPs, including representatives of some of the companies who will be collaborating with the University on the new courses it will deliver.

At the University’s Discovery Day, on November 2 at The Quad, Telford, prospective students will get their own chance to see the new building, to hear about the degrees and short courses which will be taught there – and to find out more about some of the employers who hope to find new talent among the hub’s students.

The site’s Executive Academic Director, Parmjit Chima, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to the site and to explain about the work we will be doing here.

“That work will help provide companies, in the West Midlands and beyond, with students who are equipped with the digital and technology skills so many of these companies are seeking.

“We’ll be showcasing some of the tech which students can expect to be working with on our courses, with lots of interactive sessions going on throughout the day.”

Among the activities will be Robotics, Engineering, Automation, Business and Data Science events during the day – as well as friendly staff on hand from the Harper Adams Students Union and Student Services teams.

Attendees can get hands-on with a range of STEM activities including F1 in Schools and VEX Robotics, join a Hackathon exploring how data shapes modern industries, hear how digital business skills can give them the cutting edge, and see some of the latest robotics technology our graduates will be using.

There will also be a chance to play 4-in-a-row with a robot machine - and win a prize if you can beat it! 

Experts will be on hand to explain how automation is making industry both faster and smarter – in ways you might not expect – and there’ll also be the chance to discover more about some of the many companies who will be working with Harper Adams at the hub. There will displays by companies based in the region - including BlueHub, Holloway Controls, Nidec Drives, Protolabs and many more. 

Among the companies who will be working with staff and students at the hub is Phoenix Contact - a family-owned, German-founded leader in industrial automation component and systems manufacturer with operations in several countries with more 20,000 employees.

Its UK subsidiary, Phoenix Contact Ltd, was established in 1985 in Telford. The company quickly grew from providing only sales and marketing support to today offering to its customers a range of engineering services and support.

Managing Director at Phoenix Contact Limited, Andy Mills, said: “We pride ourselves on 100 years of innovation and take great pride in relationships with our colleagues, customers, and partners.  Together, we set out to shape a sustainable world through technology and innovation.

“Our role with the Hub is to be a technology partner - not only providing the necessary equipment to enable the next generation to have access to physical products of the future, but also to provide the decades of knowledge from our technical specialists. 

“We are here to help the next phase of Shropshire based engineers reach their full potential.”

Phoenix Contact Limited’s Finance Manager, Lauren Davies, added: “Coming from Telford, to see a facility like the hub opening on our doorstep is amazing.

“It gives new much needed opportunities for students to learn more about how their studies can create an impact and bring awareness to local businesses like Phoenix Contact whose purpose is to create a sustainable world based on our own passion for technology and innovation together - in partnership with the students of tomorrow. 

“It makes us proud to be a part of something key to the local community.”

To find out more about the Harper Adams Discovery Day, and to book your place, visit: