A new initiative aimed at building Cornwall’s reputation for driving innovation and research will be launched next week.
Superfast Cornwall Labs aims “to push the boundaries of what is possible using superfast broadband and the benefits it can offer to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly”.
It is a collaboration between a variety of organisations, including University College Falmouth (UCF) and other higher education establishments, Cornwall Development Company, BT and Cornish businesses.
As part of the initiative at least three PhD student placements will be created at the Combined Universities in Cornwall in research areas, such as e-health, creative industries, the delivery of public and remote e-services and social inclusion.
Details of the Labs activities will be unveiled at next week’s Academy for Innovation and Research (AIR) open day.
Superfast Cornwall programme development director Nigel Ashcroft said: “Superfast Cornwall’s roll-out of faster broadband is already setting the standard for rural communities across Europe, but our aims and objectives go much further.
“We also want to be a leader in innovation and for our businesses, households and communities to be able to make the most of this exciting technology.
“The Superfast Cornwall Labs banner will bring together a wide variety of innovative thinking in the county, ranging from superfast broadband workshops for householders, businesses and public sector organisations to projects, such as University of the Village and Vconect.”
Ranulf Scarbrough, Superfast Cornwall programme director for BT, added: “We want to look at all opportunities to harness the full power of superfast broadband so that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can benefit fully in the years to come. The potential is huge.”
