DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/279)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 21 November 2008
Around 100,000
students and graduates will get the chance to develop world-class
skills as entrepreneurs and business leaders with the launch of
the first University Enterprise Networks (UEN).
Shriti Vadera, Minister for Economic Competitiveness and Small
Business launched the Networks at a reception at the Microsoft
Offices in London. The launch took place on (Thursday 20 November)
Social Enterprise Day - part of Global Entrepreneurship week.
The Networks are the first of their kind and will focus on the
areas of science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM),
innovation and the nuclear sector. The networks will be managed by
the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE).
The UENs will aim to establish a culture of enterprise in
universities by providing training, advice and encouragement to
students and graduates who want to develop their business ideas or
wish to become innovative employees. Each network will be further
supported by sponsorship from privately owned companies and
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). This will give students
first hand experience of enterprising workplaces.
The UENs follow on from a commitment made by the Government in
its Enterprise Strategy to further promote and support the
development of enterprise.
Shriti Vadera, Minister for Economic Competitiveness and Small
Business, said:
"Making graduates more business savvy and entrepreneurial is
essential to Britain's long term competitiveness.
"I would like to see more University Enterprise Networks
between businesses and investors to encourage this".
David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher Education said:
"We need stronger links between business and higher
education so that we can make full use of the expertise and
talents within our universities and colleges.
"University Enterprise Networks are a new kind of
partnership that will nurture the enterprise skills and
entrepreneurial spirit of tomorrow's business leaders, while
also helping universities engage more closely with the needs of
employers today."
Ian Robertson, Chief Executive of the National Council for
Graduate Entrepreneurship, said:
"The NCGE welcomes the commitment from companies, RDAs and
universities in working with us to build the first University
Enterprise Networks announced yesterday.
"These networks will act as a catalyst for closer engagement
between business, universities and the public sector, to respond
to industry needs and contribute to UK competitiveness."
Stephen Uden, Microsoft UK's Head of Skills and Economic
Affairs added:
"We are looking at a long period of economic uncertainty.
That doesn't mean that business doesn't go on, or that
there won't be opportunities for those who can take advantage
of them. What it does mean though is that those leaving university
need to have the right skills to succeed".
"Nearly half (48%) of the undergraduates we surveyed would
consider starting their own business. That's great, as small
businesses are the engine room of the economy, and also where many
of the many of the most innovative ideas come from. This
announcement and the STEM network represent good progress in
starting to change that view."
Notes to Editors:
1. The three University Enterprise Networks (UENs) which are
announced today are the STEM, Innovation, and Nuclear networks:
* The STEM UEN will be led by the South East England Development
Agency (SEEDA) in collaboration with the East of England
Development Agency (EEDA) and sponsored by Microsoft and other
major companies. The first universities to express their
commitment in principle are the universities of Cambridge,
Cranfield, Hertfordshire, Oxford, Reading, and Southampton. SEEDA
and EEDA will concentrate on technology based, high growth enterprises.
* Innovation UEN will be led by Advantage West Midlands, and
supported by sponsored by HP's MAEI (Micro Enterprise
Acceleration Institute), BT, and CISCO, with Coventry University.
The UEN will focus on helping students understand how Web-based
Technologies can be exploited in the creation of new business
ideas, and in helping small businesses collaborate with large
co-operates in the development and launch of new products in the
context of the "market".
* Nuclear UEN will be led by the Northwest Regional Development
Agency (NWDA), and supported by Westinghouse UK. The first
university to sign up to the network is the University of Central
Lancashire. The Nuclear UEN will play a major role in helping
graduates acquire the innovative skills that companies across the
breadth of the nuclear sector seek.
* A further (fourth) network will be launched early in the New
Year - The Manufacturing UEN. Led by the North West Development
Agency (NWDA), it will focus on "Advanced
Manufacturing". The following universities have expressed
interest in taking part: Manchester, Salford, Lancaster, Bolton,
Liverpool John Moores, and Central Lancashire.
2. The NCGE's role will be to set up and manage the UENs in
order that they create the right conditions for better, more
responsive collaboration. The UENs will also ensure more students
and graduates acquire the skills for enterprise and
entrepreneurship they need to achieve business growth, whether as
employees or in starting and running their own businesses.
3. Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA, speaking on behalf of
the Regional Development Agencies involved in the UENs said:
"Regional Development Agencies are delighted to be involved
in developing these exciting new University Enterprise Networks,
which complement our important work to link universities and
businesses and create the skills needed to emerge from the
economic downturn stronger and better able to compete globally.
Major corporate businesses will be right at the heart of designing
and delivering course work and activities to develop both the
graduate entrepreneurs and the enterprising graduates needed for
their future success."