Why do universities matter?
The role universities and research parks and institutes have to play is
important. By working with local businesses and government agencies,
they can help their region stay ahead on an international basis. Universities
are important in building bridges between businesses, science and government
and bringing together all the expertise in an area to boost wealth in
the nation and region, and quality of life. And the universities in the
Northwest are well placed to do just that - they have much to be proud
of:
 |
FACT
According to the Research Assessment Exercise
(2001):
- North West universities achieved scores of 4 or more (signifying
nationally and internationally recognised research) in 62 of the
68 involved in the Research Assessment Exercise 2001;
- North West universities achieved scores of 5* (the highest award)
in one third of all subjects.
|
The North West universities:
- Generate a combined turnover of around £1.2 billion
- Have £125 million of research and development funding
- Are leading the field in business research and development
- Contribute hugely to the region's strength, wealth and further development.
Research, development and
skills development are all key to remaining competitive and staying
ahead.
The region's universities are an important economic driver and key to the
region's regeneration in initiatives and developments such as the Liverpool
Science Park, Health and Business in Lancashire and Cumbria, and Knowledge
Capital, Manchester. As such, considerable efforts are being made to enhance
the capacity of North West universities to develop targeted national and
international centres of excellence in science, research and development
and social sciences. And there have already been successes:
| Is your
boss aware of the expertise available in the universities in the
region? |
Example
The Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST
merged to form a new world-class research intensive institution for
the 21 st century. |
Check
out
What
can a university do for your
company for greater insight into
how your organisation can work
closely with your local higher education institution. |
Example
Plus there's been £11 million of Agency
funding allocated for a grow-on facility on the university campus to
house the growing number of bioscience and high-tech companies in the
region. |
Example
A new Leadership Centre
is expected to assist over
10,000 small and medium sized enterprises
over the next 10 years. |
Example
Two major Lancaster University projects have capitalised
on the institution's research and teaching excellence in computing,
communications and management. |
In addition, the Learning and Skills strategy seeks, amongst other things,
to increase the number of graduates employed in small and medium sized
companies to raise graduate retention in the region and is working
to help employers boost the skills of their employees. The universities
in the region produce 40,000 graduates a year, 30% of which quality
in science and engineering.
So check out your local university. Tap into its expertise – it could
provide that vital link between your employing organisation staying still
and moving on to success.
What can a university do for you personally?
Universities and colleges of
further and higher education all have a role to play in boosting your skills
base and innovative-thought processes. Remember that:
- You don't have to study for an entire degree or course;
many institutions now have units or short courses you can do to boost
your knowledge and skills base and confidence in one subject.
- You can study for a professional qualification on a
part time basis in subjects such as management, marketing, personnel,
if you want to develop a niche in those areas;
- You can study for fun and the hell of it – why
not?
If you live and work in the North West, why not see what
your local universities have to offer throughout the region? And don't
forget the many further education colleges and private training providers
throughout the region, too many to list here.
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