A project led by Swansea University (www.swansea.ac.uk) has been short-listed for a European Union RegioStars Award.

ASTUTE (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) is an alliance between eight universities in Wales, specifically formed to stimulate regional and national economic growth.

The EU-funded project was designed to promote collaboration between universities and Welsh manufacturers, and over 250 companies have been involved so far, resulting in 383 new products, 174 new jobs and 10 new enterprises being created.

Following this success, a follow-on project ASTUTE 2020 is aiming to achieve even better results.

Its operations director, Professor Johann Sienz, said: “ASTUTE being nominated as a finalist at the RegioStars Awards recognises it as an exemplar of effective and productive industry-academia collaboration, enabling transformational and sustainable growth across Wales in manufacturing industries through research, development and innovation.

“I am proud of the achievements of the ASTUTE partnership and the continued impact of ASTUTE 2020.”

The RegioStars Awards are organised annually by the European Commission with the objective of identifying good practice in regional development and highlighting original and innovative projects that are inspiring to other regions.

The RegioStars Awards ceremony is due to be held in Brussels on 9 October.