BU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour spoke at the Great South West Annual Conference about the important role the region plays in the UK economy, and the role universities and students can play in further driving success.
An Independent Economic Review of the Great South West was launched at the Annual Conference, while discussion focussed on the need to build stronger links with Westminster, powering the UK’s energy security, providing food security for the UK, delivering the UK’s defence capability and the Great South West’s ability to support economic growth in the UK.
Professor Alison Honour sat on a panel to discuss the launch of the economic review, to share her thoughts on the opportunities for universities to support and drive growth. The need to retain students in the region to work and bring fresh skills across key industries post-graduation was a key theme during the discussion.
Speaking at the Conference, Professor Honour said, “The region boasts eight universities, educating students in a range of skills that respond to the needs and industries of the region. At BU, around 40% of our students are commuter students, which means they already live locally, and we’ve got a real role to play in linking them with industries and showing them that their skills matter and can be well used in the areas they already call home.
“Our students can build fulfilling and valuable careers that benefit the UK and support growth, while enjoying all the benefits that our region enjoys. We need to work to provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, reimagining our offer as universities to respond to the desires of young people in how they train, to ensure that we’re listening to, and supporting innovation from, our young people too.”
Clive Higgins, Chair and CEO of Leonardo UK and a Bournemouth University graduate; Councillor Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council; Karl Tucker, Chair of Great South West Partnership; and Nick Walkley, Principal % UK President of Avison Young (who created the report) were also on the panel.
Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry, gave the keynote address at the Conference sharing the Government’s desire to make UK a powerhouse of industry and innovation and the need for the government to look at a long-term and sustainable growth strategy, based on evidence, to ensure the UK’s success. The Minister shared her support for greater investment in key industries and skills to deliver for the UK.
Sarah Jones MP said, “In the UK, we can live on our memories more than our dreams. With a new government, with a mandate to grow the economy, now is the time to reach for the ambition we all have. You need to tell us what the potential is, and we will pull every lever we can to help make this region the thriving region we want to see.”
Great South West is a partnership of organisations across Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset focussed on championing the region nationally and internationally to look at transformation and inward investment into the region. The region is worth £81 billion to the UK economy, with key industries in areas such as advanced manufacturing, tourism, green economy, rural affairs (including agriculture, food security and farming) and renewable energy among many others.
Professor Honour sits on the Board of the Great South West partnership, which has eight universities across the region.
The Review also highlighted three key strengths of the region; competitiveness, connectedness and innovation, and an economic asset to the country, a large and dynamic economy combining industry with quality of life, with internationally significant industries represented. 3.14 million people live in the region, according to the report, supporting 133,000 businesses, 5% of the UK total, boasting the highest business growth in the last 5 years.
The Conference highlighted the need for a new approach for the region in underlining its strengths and skills, and the vital role the region plays in key future issues the UK will face.
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