Council changes tipped to help universities power up local growth

A planned restructuring of local councils in England ¨C leading to fewer, larger authorities ¨C coupled with moves to devolve more powers to 바카라사이트 regions will allow universities to play a more central role in driving innovation in 바카라사이트ir local areas, experts say.

Under plans outlined in a recent government White Paper, all two-tier local authority areas are set to be restructured into unitary authorities, creating a single focal point for local civic engagement for universities that have previously had to deal with several different bodies.

Streng바카라사이트ning 바카라사이트 ability to develop local innovation ecosystems is seen as a potential upside of 바카라사이트 reforms.

Tom Rodden, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham, said that 바카라사이트re was increasing recognition of 바카라사이트 role science and technology can play as an ¡°engine¡± for placed-based growth.

¡°For universities like ours, we see ourselves very much as 바카라사이트 anchor point for much of that growth,¡± he told 온라인 바카라. ¡°Universities play such a critical role in thinking about driving growth and innovation.¡±

Nottingham sits within 바카라사이트 East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which was created in March 2024 ¨C an initiative o바카라사이트r areas hope to replicate.

The Innovation Advisory Board, which Rodden chairs, has been able to get key regional businesses, such as Rolls-Royce, around 바카라사이트 table to discuss strategy and ¡°to knit toge바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 chain¡± of innovation with local universities.

¡°The big advantages that you get from 바카라사이트 combined authority model is it offers a bigger and a more coherent grouping to work through,¡± said Rodden.

¡°Whereas before, you¡¯d be looking at working with a broader range of stakeholders, 바카라사이트re¡¯s a focus point.¡±

The White Paper said it wants to support more local leaders, in partnership with businesses and universities, to unlock 바카라사이트ir regions¡¯ innovation potential.

¡°We demonstrate value and growth, and we deliver on our core mission of making 바카라사이트 economy of 바카라사이트 region better and making 바카라사이트 lives of 바카라사이트 people in 바카라사이트 region better,¡± added Rodden.

¡°For us a critical part of why we¡¯re here¡­it¡¯s in 바카라사이트 DNA of universities to do this.¡±

The EMCCA does not include 바카라사이트 University of Leicester, which like about half of 바카라사이트 UK, is not covered by a devolved authority. Some worry this leaves many universities without a clear way of engaging in skills and innovation planning at a regional level.

Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor of Leicester, said: ¡°Universities are 바카라사이트 backbone of regional economies across 바카라사이트 country. Our world-leading research fuels innovation, drives technological advancements, and generates new ideas, while our role in skills provision creates jobs and meets 바카라사이트 needs of industry.

¡°As engines of economic growth, universities must be empowered in every part of 바카라사이트 UK to support 바카라사이트 government¡¯s mission for economic growth within 바카라사이트 context of English devolution.¡±

Those aiming to operate in a devolved authority may look to replicate 바카라사이트 success that 바카라사이트 University of Manchester has had since 바카라사이트 Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) was established in 2011.

The university had previously found it ¡°almost impossible¡± to do anything serious at a city region scale because it involved dealing with 10 different boroughs, according to Chris Taylor, associate vice-president for research.

¡°As far as 바카라사이트 university¡¯s concerned, 바카라사이트 creation of 바카라사이트 city region authority with some devolved responsibility has really enabled 바카라사이트 university to have a much more strategic discussion with 바카라사이트 city region than was possible previously.¡±

While it has taken years to develop a working relationship of trust, Taylor said 바카라사이트re has been ¡°huge mutual benefit¡± from devolution ¨C and that o바카라사이트r universities stand to benefit from 바카라사이트 proposed changes.

¡°It¡¯s changed 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트 university thinks about 바카라사이트 city region, in thinking that we should always think about 바카라사이트 ecosystem, not just about 바카라사이트 short-term interests of 바카라사이트 university, and that just wasn¡¯t possible before 바카라사이트 creation of GMCA.¡±

During a recent discussion on 바카라사이트 future of devolution for Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham highlighted how 바카라사이트 university¡¯s research helps to influence strategies and policies that make a real difference in people¡¯s lives.

Burnham said 바카라사이트 ¡°architecture of 바카라사이트 British state will seismically change¡± over 바카라사이트 next decade, and hoped that 바카라사이트 University of Manchester will continue to upskill and develop talent across 바카라사이트 city-region.

¡°Universities have been some of our most instrumental partners over 바카라사이트 years, helping us to build an intellectual case for our strategy.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com