Expert praises Teesside University’s business engagement work

A leading expert on university- business collaboration has praised Teesside University for its role in revitalising the Tees Valley economy.

Dr David Docherty, the chief executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) addressed Teesside’s annual staff working with business conference.

He spoke to staff about the vital role universities can play within a region by stimulating enterprise through knowledge transfer, growing start-ups and collaborative research.

He told staff: 'Whenever I talk about university and business collaboration and the anchor role of a University, I talk about Teesside.'

He added: 'Teesside University is one of Middlesbrough’s biggest employers, but it is also helping to create a real economic space.

'It is hard to imagine Middlesbrough without the University. It’s one of the best examples in the country of doing things right.'

The working with business conference, part of a year-long programme of activities for staff, is an annual event to explore new ways for the University to collaborate with the private sector, and to learn from good practice.

Staff attending the conference also heard about the University’s partnership with educational company Hyper Island, delivering global leadership programmes, and from Andy Penaluna, the Professor of Creative Entrepreneurship at the University of Wales Trinity St David, on unlocking creative mindsets.

Laura Woods, Teesside University’s Director of Academic Enterprise, said: 'It’s so important to bring external perspectives into the University if we’re to excel in our work with business. It was fantastic to hear from these three speakers, all national experts in their fields, and it stimulated lots of discussion. We’ll definitely be taking on board their thinking and ideas in our business and enterprise activity.

'We were delighted to hear David single the University out for its work in the economy.'

Teesside University was recently awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Excellence in Higher Education, particularly in the field of enterprise and business engagement, and is accredited with the Customer First standard for its services to business.

---