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UCLan named most entrepreneurial university in North West

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 15:49

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the top University in the North West and among the top five across England for producing student start-up businesses, according to the Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction Survey (HEBCIS). The study recognised that businesses set up by UCLan students contribute more than £17 million to the local economy.

The survey also revealed that UCLan is the most SME-friendly University in the North West, providing more business support than any other University in the region – and UCLan ranks in the top ten nationally in 10 categories.

The research, produced in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Higher Education Funding Council for England, recognised UCLan graduates as leaders in enterprise. Over the past year, 126 student businesses have been set-up; more than six times greater than UCLan’s nearest regional competitor. 

Bede Mullen, Director of UCLan’s Knowledge Transfer Service, comments: “Supporting new business start-ups in the North West is vital to driving growth in the region. As such, we’re delighted that UCLan is playing such a crucial role in the development of the regional economy by providing new and established businesses with the support they need to develop and grow.”

Steve Broomhead, Chief Executive at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: "The NWDA plays a key role in ensuring that training, education and skills development is meeting the needs of employers and individuals in England's Northwest.

“The agency welcomes the news of UCLan's achievement, which will ensure that the Northwest maintains talented graduates and remains competitive now and in the future."

UCLan ranks second nationally for the number of student start-up businesses that it supports, which totals more than 300 companies. Many of these firms are housed within the UCLan’s cutting-edge business incubator: the Media Factory – a full-service office facility that offers young entrepreneurs mentoring, advice clinics, networking opportunities and many other services.  

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has developed an enviable reputation as an institution that innovates, evolving its course portfolio to over 500 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate courses.  The University has an established research reputation within the areas of Business, Health, Humanities and Science. In the recent Research Assessment Exercise, all 17 subject areas submitted were rated as containing research of international excellence while 11 areas were assessed to be undertaking research which is world-leading.  With approximately 32,000 students, the University indirectly contributes close to £250 million into the regional economy every year. UCLan is currently in the process of spending more than £120 million on new buildings and facilities to support teaching, learning and leisure activities.