Napier to Establish Centre for Timber Engineering - 28 January 2002
Napier University has been chosen by the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster to establish a national centre for excellence for timber engineering. Plans for the Centre were launched at a briefing for industry on 24 January 2002; it is due to be operational in September 2002.
Napier was selected via a competitive pitch for the following reasons:
- The Centre will be located in the integrated School of the Built Environment within the Faculty of Engineering & Computing
- There is an existing teaching and research track record in timber engineering and related subjects
- Napier has a strong collaborative network with other universities and colleges
- Collaboration with industry in relevant research and development is also a strength
- Staff are engaged in external industry-related activities
- The Centre fits closely with the University’s development strategy.
Industry background
Over the next two decades the output of Britain’s forests will substantially increase, presenting a tremendous opportunity not only to secure substantial investment and jobs but also to build a sustainable forest industry.
To take advantage of this opportunity there needs to be a step change in the capacity of our forest industries – a change that is market and innovation driven.
And in order to achieve this change, our knowledge-base, research and teaching capacity in timber engineering needs to be upgraded – hence the establishment of the Centre.
By enhancing the level of knowledge amongst designers and professionals, the project aims to grow market opportunities which will result in higher demand for domestic timber products.
Furthermore, by supporting rural industry, the project will assist rural inclusion. It will also raise good opportunities for international collaboration.
Centre objectives
- To upgrade knowledge and skills of the construction industry’s technical and engineering workforce
- To improve the knowledge of timber engineering amongst engineering and architectural graduates
- To raise technician level skills training
- To be a source of new ideas and innovative technology to help create new and stretch existing markets for the use of timber
- To be grounded in technology and market foresight in which industry plays a key role
- To provide solutions to known technical problems facing the industry
- To give access to problem-solving capability relevant to the needs of individual companies.
These objectives will be achieved by working in partnership with other stakeholders in industry, trade organisations, research institutions and education and training establishments.
Industry partners
The need to establish the Centre was identified following a study by a steering group drawn together by the Cluster from industry and the public sector. Funding to cover initial start-up costs has been approved by Scottish Enterprise and the timber industry has to date pledged more than 50% of their own target contribution.
