Queens' University Names New Facility After Wrights Group Founder

Queen's University in Belfast is to name a new engineering facility after the founder of Wrights Group, William Wright.

The William Wright Technology Centre will be built at Queen's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Wright's Group has invested £300,000 in the centre, a figure which is being matched by the University. The facility aims to promote research and advanced engineering for the development of technologies in the bus industry.

The joint venture development is currently housed in temporary accommodation, however a new permanent premises for the centre has been identified and is scheduled to open in Summer 2017.

Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick Johnston, said: "We are delighted and honoured to name our technology centre after Dr Wright, a well-respected figure in the Northern Ireland business community and the global bus industry.

"The new William Wright Technology Centre will ensure continued development of even better and cleaner environmental technology for advanced passenger transport in the UK and around the world. It will also give our students the opportunity to work closely with Wrightbus to develop their technical, research and employability skills."

Dr William Wright CBE added: "We have a long established relationship with Queen's University and are pleased to be involved in the further expansion of the technology centre.  This is a new and exciting facility that will continue to stimulate fresh thinking and encourage innovation."

(LM/CD)