The areas are:- >The Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) – part of the DigitalCity initiative to create a digital supercluster in the Tees Valley
>The Department of Academic Enterprise, the University’s central business-facing unit
>All the specialist business teams in the School of Science & Engineering
>The Educational Leadership team in Teesside University Business School, delivering a major leadership and management initiative in schools across the North East.
The latest vote of confidence follows the University’s award for Outstanding Business Engagement Initiative, made by the Times Higher Education magazine for its pioneering foundation degree in leadership and management developed with the North East Chamber of Commerce.
Teesside was also declared The Times Higher Education University of the Year for its outstanding regional economic strategy and history of working with communities and businesses.
Announcing the latest accolade, Customer First Assessor Mike Wildey said: 'I have never assessed an organisation more prepared and more deserving of the Customer First Standard.'
He singled out the implementation of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and the introduction of a team of Business Account Managers for particular praise.
The accreditation lasts for two years, during which time the University plans to continue to improve the way it works with businesses.
Lisa McKeown, quality manager for employer engagement, said: 'The award covers a wide scope of the University’s business engagement activities and the vote of confidence will reassure businesses that we are meeting demanding standards by operating within the framework of national compliance.'
Dr Paul Shelton, Assistant Dean of the School of Science & Engineering, said: 'My background is in industry where customers are always important and it is good to see that the same approach is being taken by the University in its business engagement activities.'