Bangor to lead newly established Institute of Visual Computing
Bangor University is to benefit by around £1 million from a newly announced Research Institute for Visual Computing in Wales.
The Institute will strengthen research partnerships between computer science departments in Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea universities and is the first One Wales national research centre.
Visual computing exploits the latest digital technologies and includes the production of computer imagery for science and entertainment, as well as understanding information in images and video. Techniques developed at the Institute will be used in science, engineering, arts and humanities, medicine and industry.
The collaboration will draw together and build on the expertise at the four universities, developing research capacity while raising Wales' international status as an innovative and forward looking country.
For Bangor University's School of Computer science, this means that the visual computing group will consolidate on their existing expertise in areas of medical and informational visual computing and expand into new areas of research.
World leading expert in high dynamic range imaging, Dr Rafal Mantiuk, is to join the team as lecturer, introducing a new area of expertise to the group, while research output will grow with the presence of four new research officers.
Professor Nigel John explains: "Visualisation technology is at the heart of modern technology and is a field that is still in development. As well as building on our own research we will be at the forefront of research in the newer high-dynamic imaging and the software that supports a far higher quality of image than exists at present."
Bangor University is also coordinating the knowledge exploitation aspect of the Institute, with the Technium CAST acting as a catalyst to ensure that business and industry access the information and knowledge that they need to take advantage of research developments in the constituent parts of the Institution.
Bangor University Vice-Chancellor Professor Merfyn Jones said: "Visual computing is an integral part of 21 century technology. Its very exciting that Bangor is leading this exciting new Institution and that one of Wales' premier research groups is set to push the boundaries in this field, with much of it to take place here in Bangor."
Education Minister Jane Hutt said: "In One Wales we made a clear commitment to creating Welsh national research centres, and I am I delighted that we've been able to achieve the first one with the Institute of Visual Computing.
"To help ensure Wales' strength and presence on the academic world map, it is essential that our higher education sector works together to create areas of excellence in future technologies.
"This significant announcement is a major step forward and I'm sure the collaboration between these four prestigious Universities will form the bedrock for future joint working and sharing of academic excellence. It sets a template for future collaboration and partnership by the higher education sector."
The Institute will be officially launched at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff at 5pm on 21st September 2009. Jane Hutt AM, the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills will be presenting at this event along with Professor Sian Hope of Bangor University.
Further information: Professor Nigel John, School of Computer Science 01248 382717 e mail n.w.john@bangor.ac.uk.