15 July 2008
UCLan centre of excellence for graduate start-ups
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has proven itself
to be the Dragon’s Den of the Northwest, by coming second
nationally and top regionally for the number of graduate start-up
businesses, in the latest Higher Education – Business and Community
Interaction (HE-BCI) survey.
The report shows how Universities are playing an increasingly
important part in the UK’s economy through the transfer of
knowledge from academia to business. Through interacting with
business and the community, higher education establishments can
help turn knowledge into new companies, products and services.
Thanks to state-of-the-art business incubation facilities
located in the Media Factory building UCLan is currently nurturing
over 250 new and emerging business, providing them with business
mentoring, advice clinics, networking opportunities along with
fully-furnished office space and administration-support
facilities. Clients based in the business incubator range
from an on-line TV company to a number of web-design agencies to
even a record label.
Joanne St. Clair from Ghost Town Records, an independent record
label said: “I registered my business with UCLan’s incubator in
April, and ever since, there’s been success after
success.
“In addition to the first-class business support, they granted
access to the Media Factory incubation units, offering desk space,
telephones, unlimited internet access, a PA system, microphones,
overhead projectors, a laptop, camera equipment and incentives for
growth and development.”
Bede Mullen, Director of UCLan’s Knowledge Transfer Service,
said: “These businesses are a credit to the region and we are
delighted we can support them through our business-focussed
initiatives. UCLan is playing a central and crucial role in
the development of the regional economy by providing new and
established businesses with the facilities and knowledge they need
to develop and grow.”
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA), said: “Driving the number of new
business start ups in the Northwest is vital to regional economic
growth. These results highlight the key role that the higher
education sector can play in achieving this, through the transfer
of knowledge and innovation. The recognition of the achievements of
UCLan is great news for the region and demonstrates the world class
expertise of the learning and education sector in the
Northwest.”
UCLan was also named as the number two university, nationally,
and best in the North West, for the provision of Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) to business, demonstrating the
University’s central importance to UK businesses.
-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 in a wide range of academic disciplines
including History, Law and Physics and has developed research
excellence in Health, Humanities, Design & Technology, Science
and Business areas. With in the region of 32,000 students, the
University is one of the largest in the UK and is currently in the
process of spending more than £60 million on new buildings and
facilities to support teaching, learning and leisure
activities.