Nokia and University of Cambridge to partner on research

I’m posting this entire press release because out of all the things Nokia (NYSE: NOK) does as a company, it is the people that work in the labs creating user scenarios we haven’t even contemplated yet who I utterly respect and admire the most. They have the vision to dream and the funding + talent to make it reality.

Nokia PR:

Nokia and the University of Cambridge, UK, today announced an agreement to work together on an extensive and long term programme of joint research projects.  Nokia Research Center (NRC) will establish a research facility at the University’s West Cambridge site and will collaborate with several departments – initially the Nanoscience Centre and Electrical Division of the Engineering Department – on projects that, to begin with, will be centred on nanotechnology.

Commenting on the agreement, Professor Ian Leslie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University, said: "This collaboration both recognises and enhances Cambridge’s global reputation for excellence in science and technology research.  One of the greatest advantages to the University is the opportunity to work closely with a recognised worldwide leader in technology products and applications on ‘real world’ challenges and initiatives."

Nokia will initially base around ten people at Cambridge: the agreement is intended to be long-term and the number of Nokia researchers at the University is set to rise over time.  Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Bob Iannucci, Nokia Senior Vice President and Head of NRC, said: "This is the third partnership with a world-leading research institution NRC has announced in the last eighteen months .  Such open collaboration is central to NRC’s strategy, because it enables us to bring together some of the leading researchers in our fields of interest and to benefit from each other’s different backgrounds and perspective.  "

Cambridge is widely seen as a leader in nanotechnology research with successes across the University in nanoelectronics, novel materials and coatings, biologically inspired nanostructures and advanced characterization tools.  "Cambridge and Nokia share a common belief in the ability of nanotechnology to deliver products and applications of tangible value to people," commented Professor Mark Welland, director of the IRC (Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration) in Nanotechnology at Cambridge.  "The fact that we also share a common commitment to the responsible introduction of nanotechnology into the public arena adds a further unique dimension to this collaboration."

Dr. Tapani Ryhanen heads Nokia global research in the nanotechnology area, and will lead Nokia’s collaboration with Cambridge.  He added: "Nanotechnology long ago left science fiction movies for the laboratory and, more recently, we saw the first commercial applications.  The techniques we are developing really bring us a toolkit for working with the processes of nature at a very basic level – the level of molecules – in a safe and controlled way."

No offense to the other Nokia employees. I love you guys too!