North East universities drive Levelling Up agenda and grow regional economy

Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities have today (Friday, February 3) launched a report highlighting the regional impact made by universities across the North East.

The Innovating Together – Universities in the North East (InTUNE) report showcases the contribution of the five universities to the innovation and business growth agenda in the region, and their potential role in delivering activities which contribute to the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.

This includes support for businesses and the creative industries, R&D collaborations, and workforce training. As “key anchor” institutions and employers, between them they support more than 34,000 jobs and contribute £2.2bn annually to the North East economy, they play a large role in the health, wellbeing and resilience of communities across the region.

With the launch of the report at the Transforming Tomorrow Together Roundtable, hosted by CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Dame Ottoline Leyser, the aim is to explore the potential for further collaboration for the benefit of the region and local people.

Professor Jane Robinson, Newcastle University’s pro-vice-chancellor engagement and place, commented: “The North East’s five universities have a long history of generating economic, social and cultural benefits for their local areas.

“Increasingly we are working together to deliver even greater regional impact, developing the talent and skilled workforce of the future and leading the research and innovation to address the impacts of a changing global climate and improving the health and wellbeing of local people.”

Professor Colin Bain, Durham University’s pro-vice-chancellor (research), added: “This report demonstrates our successful track record of working together on key economic development and innovation initiatives.

“Thanks to our complementary institutional strengths we have created opportunities that would have not been possible without working together.”

Dan Monnery, chief strategy officer at Northumbria University, concluded: “We are proud to partner with our fellow northeast universities, working together as anchor institutions to help drive forward the levelling up agenda and grow the region’s economy.

“As a research-intensive university we embed quality research at the centre of everything we do, enabling us to meet the world’s changing needs and make a positive difference.

“This is significant for the region, not only for local students who wish to benefit from a research-informed education, but also for regional businesses who can access impactful research and innovative partnership opportunities.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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