University Enterprise Networks
Supported by BIS, the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship is working with Regional Development Agencies to develop a number of University Enterprise Networks. A University Enterprise Network is a tripartite partnership between industry, the public sector and Universities to make a substantial contribution to the long term competitiveness of the UK economy. University Enterprise Networks help universities to provide their students with real life experiences of being enterprising in the commercial world, with a view to developing their enterprising mind and skills sets. In this way Universities will engage more with the needs of employers and graduates will obtain more of the soft skills that employers seek, with many being encouraged to start their own growth business.
A University Enterprise Network comprises a partnership between one or more private sector organisations, and the universities within a region. Each University Enterprise Network may focus on a particular sector, and may cover one or more regions.
Four University Enterprise Networks have now received funding:
- South East England Development Agency – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sector
- Northwest Regional Development Agency - Advanced Manufacturing sector
- Advantage West Midlands - Innovation network
- South West Regional Development Agency - Creative Industries sector
