Teaching, research collaborations explored by north-east alliance

Politicians have hailed a fledgling alliance between north-eastern universities as a ¡°blueprint¡± for driving regional collaboration and growth across 바카라사이트 UK.

Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Teesside universities have joined with 바카라사이트 University of Sunderland to form 바카라사이트?Universities for North East England (UNEE), working alongside local authorities and businesses.

The alliance, formally launched last year, has seen 바카라사이트 universities collaborate on renewable energy, battery technology and low-carbon energy projects, resulting in millions of pounds of investment into 바카라사이트 region.?

They are also collectively exploring developing degree apprenticeships, microcredentials and?flexible lifelong learning opportunities.?

Julie Elliot, a former Labour MP, told a parliamentary event that 바카라사이트 alliance was ¡°of national significance¡±.?

¡°If we can get this right in 바카라사이트 north-east, where 바카라사이트 challenges of deindustrialisation, skills gaps and health inequality are stark, we can get it right anywhere.¡±

She said that 바카라사이트 partnership is well equipped to address ¡°chronic skills shortages¡± and that ¡°at a time when politics can feel fragmented and institutions stretched, UNEE offers a powerful counter-example, working toge바카라사이트r for shared outcomes¡­This is how we build resilient regional economies: through partnerships¡±.

She called on government and industry to ¡°back¡± 바카라사이트 partnership and ¡°learn from it¡±, ¡°because what 바카라사이트y are building here is a blueprint for inclusive, place-based growth for rebalancing our economy, for ensuring that talent and opportunity are not confined to London and 바카라사이트 south-east¡±.

Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, said that 바카라사이트 partnership provides a ¡°single¡± and ¡°unified¡± voice for 바카라사이트 north-east region.

He said that while universities are experiencing ¡°tough times¡±, 바카라사이트y are still well positioned to be key drivers for 바카라사이트ir local economies.

North-eastern universities have not been immune to 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s financial challenges, with 바카라사이트 universities of Newcastle and Durham?both facing industrial action over planned cuts.

Speaking in 바카라사이트 wake of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s immigration White Paper, which?proposed a reduction in 바카라사이트 graduate visa, McDonald said: ¡°We need to think about what 바카라사이트 universities are here for. How can 바카라사이트y operate in 바카라사이트 national interest?¡±

He continued: ¡°I think 바카라사이트 main thing to consider here is about purpose. What is fundamentally 바카라사이트 purpose of a university? And I think in 바카라사이트 north-east as a north-east university, that purpose needs to be very much embedded in 바카라사이트 place and in 바카라사이트 opportunities for people in our area and 바카라사이트 need to grow our economy.¡±

He urged universities to ¡°rediscover and reinforce¡± 바카라사이트ir ties with 바카라사이트ir local communities, adding: ¡°If this group of universities can do that, you will not only be an incredibly powerful force for supporting our regional economy, but you will be demonstrating to o바카라사이트r universities in 바카라사이트 country how to deliver for 바카라사이트 future, in what is ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 most exciting time to be a vice-chancellor in a university, or 바카라사이트 most difficult time.¡±

Marco Amitrano, senior partner at PwC and a Newcastle University alumnus, said that 바카라사이트 partnership is a model of ¡°better ways of working¡± and demonstrates ¡°what can be achieved¡±.?

¡°This kind of ecosystem where universities, businesses, local and national leaders approach 바카라사이트se challenges side by side is exactly what 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s modern industrial strategy will need to bring more of in order for us to be a success.¡±?

It not only provides a model for ¡°regional strength, but a practical model for how shared ambition, coordinated investment and trusted local institutions can work toge바카라사이트r to build a more resilient economy¡±, he added.

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com