German ambassador hails BCU’s pioneering STEAMhouse project

Ambassador Miguel Berger was given a tour of the £70 million STEAMhouse centre, which is home to a community of academics, students, business experts and design practitioners, by Professor Julian Beer, the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor. 

“It's been fascinating to hear about the outstanding work done by Birmingham City University,” said Ambassador Berger, who was also given a view of the HS2 construction site during his trip. 

“Many thanks to everyone for showing me how engineers, designers and companies work together on cutting-edge technologies in the STEAMhouse. 

“This is innovation in action. It is very good to hear that there has been cooperation with Germany. I see great potential for further collaboration.” 

Ambassador Berger also met with Councillor John Cotton, the new leader of Birmingham City Council, and attended a business lunch organised by the AHK German Chamber of Commerce during his visit to the West Midlands. 

“We appreciate the time Ambassador Berger spent at Birmingham City University and his interest in the amazing work that goes on at the STEAMhouse,” said Professor Beer. 

“We are very proud of what we have helped create here and believe we have a unique offer that appeals not just to UK businesses but to businesses around the world. 

“Birmingham is twinned with the cities of Frankfurt and Leipzig, so links with Germany already exist and we hope that there are further opportunities to enrich them further.”  

BCU is acknowledged as a thought-leader in STEAM - an interdisciplinary way of thinking that combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. 

A five-storey building boasting world-class facilities, the STEAMhouse provides a new teaching and learning space for BCU’s computing and digital technology students. 

The state-of-the-art centre also gives students opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.