ÎÞÂ붯»­

ÎÞÂ붯»­’s status as a world-leading research institution and a powerhouse  for boosting skills has been raised on successive days in Parliament.

During Science, Innovation and Technology Questions in the House yesterday, Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin - in whose constituency the University's Edgmond campus is located –  to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Kanishka Naryan MP.

Mr Pritchard added: “He will also be aware of the university’s .

“May I invite him, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, to visit the university to look at the excellent work on robotics, AI and sustainable farming, in particular eco-farming and increasing productivity in a way that is sustainable?”

The Minister replied: “That is a very easy yes, combining my interest in agriculture and technology.

“I will take the right hon. Member up on his offer.”

Meanwhile today, Shaun Davies, MP for Telford, by ÎÞÂ붯»­ and partners at the Quad in Telford’s Station Quarter to boost skills.

Mr Davies asked Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle: “Given the Government’s focus on strengthening skills in the agritech food sector, will the Secretary of State join me in visiting ÎÞÂ붯»­’s new Telford facility at the Quad to see how the industry and higher and further education facilities, including Telford College, are working together to develop and diversify the skills pipeline in the sector?"

In reply, the Minister – who is intending to visit the University soon - said: “We are fully supportive of collaboration between industry and higher and further education to strengthen skills in the agrifood sector.

"I will be visiting Harper Adams; that visit is already in the diary, and if my hon. Friend wants to join me, he is more than welcome.”

Over the years, ÎÞÂ붯»­ has welcomed MPs from across the political spectrum -  including party leaders - and Farming, Trade and Education Ministers.

The University has also hosted a formal Parliamentary evidence session by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee, one of a very few to be held away from the Parliamentary estate.