Member Article

New agreement between University and Agency

Plans to strengthen the region’s knowledge base have been boosted with the signing of an agreement between One NorthEast and the University of Teesside.

The regional development agency and the university have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), hoping to raise levels of expertise in sectors which have significance for regional development.

The agreement, signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Teesside, Graham Henderson, and the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) of One North East, Pat Ritchie, aims to strengthen the joint-working relationship in areas including process engineering, digital technology and the media, health and social care and design.

Professor Graham Henderson said: “The University’s longstanding relationship with One NorthEast has seen the development of some truly exciting initiatives that directly support the growth of our regional economy.

“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations cements that relationship and underlines our commitment to working together to help achieve the aims of the Regional Economic Strategy.“It will see us working even more closely with Agency colleagues to maximise the University’s contribution to the social, economic and cultural success of both the Tees Valley and the wider North East region.”

The MoU will ensure that the work done by the university will tie in to the goals of the Regional Economic Strategy, which highlights the need to create around 22,000 new businesses and get an extra 70,000 into work.

Pat Ritchie said: “This agreement builds on the excellent working relationship, both at a strategic and operational level, already in place between the Agency and the university.

“As a region we have set ourselves some very ambitious targets for future development, which we know we must if we’re to realise our full economic potential. However, no one organisation can achieve these targets - the key is for partners to work together to get the best out of the projects we’re delivering.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .