Sponsorship

Brunel is particularly keen to promote links between business and University enterprise and research. Through the Brunel Enterprise Centre (BEC) we have a resource for managing the commercial exploitation of University projects. We also have many fantastic research projects within the University department which need funding and sponsorship.

CASE STUDY 1: The Reliance Prize of Prizes for Enterprise

Reliance Security Group recently agreed to sponsor a prize for the most entrepreneurial idea from students or staff at Brunel in any subject. It is called the prize of prizes, as, although open to all, prize winning ideas from Brunel's annual business planning competition, and competitions for Design, Information Systems, MBA, Engineering and Computing projects will be automatically put forward.

Our aim is not only to celebrate innovation, but to allow young people to learn directly from those who have turned innovation into successful businesses.

If your business would like to sponsor a similar venture, please contact the Developoment Office development@brunel.ac.uk

CASE STUDY 2: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

Researchers at Brunel University helped make history in November 2004 when, for the first time ever, paraplegic athletes competed against able-bodied athletes in a major sporting event.

Robin Gibbons and Sol Solomou, both paralysed from the chest down, raced at the British Indoor Rowing Championship on 21 November at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. This amazing achievement was recognised at a ceremony on Thursday 9 December, where Robin and Sol were presented with medals from double Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell, himself a Brunel graduate.

It was all made possible by a research team led by Professor Brian Andrews in the School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel, working alongside Garry Wheeler from the Steadward Centre at the University of Alberta, Canada. The work involves using functional electrical stimulation (FES) to stimulate paralysed leg muscles, as part of wider research into reducing common health problems suffered by paraplegics.