‘Norwich’s creativity will unlock investment and jobs’

Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, visited Norwich with Peter Kyle MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and Alice Macdonald, Labour’s candidate for Norwich North. They visited Norwich University of Arts where they met academic staff and students on Computer Arts and Technology courses. 

Commenting on the visit Alice Macdonald, Labour’s candidate for Norwich North said: 

“It was fantastic to have Jimmy Wales and Peter Kyle visit today – I wanted to show them what an innovative city Norwich is. We have amazing facilities and institutions like Norwich University of the Arts helping to equip students with skills for the future and position Norwich firmly as a centre of creativity. If I was elected to represent Norwich North I would be working with local businesses, education institutions and local authorities to champion Norwich as a city of science and innovation to help attract investment and create jobs.” 

Peter Kyle MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology said: 

“We have cutting-edge universities and research institutes in the UK such as Norwich University of the Arts. Meeting staff and students today demonstrated what an innovative city Norwich is. 

Labour is determined to unlock the full economic potential we have in our country and restore our public services. We will go further than ever before to make Britain the best place to innovate, including by giving key Research and Development bodies ten-year budgets to allow for meaningful partnerships with industry to grow and to keep the UK at the forefront of global innovation.” 

Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, said: 

“It’s very important that we get students interested in STEM subjects and it was good to see the array of courses on offer at Norwich University of the Arts today and the passion from students and staff. It was also good to speak with Peter Kyle and Alice Macdonald about Labour’s plans to harness technology to deliver fair economic growth.” 

Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr, Vice-Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, said: 

“It was a pleasure to welcome Peter Kyle, Alice Macdonald and Jimmy Wales today and share the incredible work of our staff and students. Norwich University of the Arts is shaping the future innovators and disruptors of the creative tech industry.

Our commitment to pioneering research and practice-based learning in creative technologies puts us at the forefront of creative innovation in the UK and beyond.”