NCUB Publishes First Annual State Of The Relationship Report

One year on from its launch the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) has released its first annual ‘State of the Relationship 2014’ report of collaboration between universities and businesses.

The report contains expert views from NCUB staff and representatives of Cambridge Judge Business School, Research Councils UK, Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Nesta, among others, as well as nearly forty case-studies from Rolls Royce, Unilever, Astra Zeneca, Northumbria University, King’s College London, University of Glasgow, and many others.

In its first year NCUB has reached out across the higher education and business sectors and now counts 91 top representatives of both as members. NCUB has received significant support from politicians with Minister of State for Universities, David Willetts MP appointing us to lead an Advisory Hub for Smart Specialisation, connecting universities and businesses to aid local growth. During Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron recently congratulated NCUB on its Talent 2030 project to encourage more women to consider careers in manufacturing and engineering. NCUB has also hosted a lecture from Sir Andrew Witty, and released research into the changing career portfolios and skills requirements of graduates and a survey of student views of careers services and work experience.

In his forward to the report, NCUB Chairman, Richard Greenhalgh:

“A year ago, the Council for Industry and Higher Education became the National Centre for Universities and Business. This, our first ‘State of the Relationship’ report, drew on our membership and research team to celebrate success, review the challenge, and explore solutions.”

NCUB Chief Executive, David Docherty, says in his opening essay:

“NCUB was born out of a deep belief that open, sustained, networked collaboration between universities and business is key to prosperity and a good society.

“Most international comparators show the UK is already a success at innovation and connectivity. This world-class performance must not result in the UK being the best contract researcher for other countries’ economic growth. It must be turned into profit and jobs in the UK.”

To contact case studies, arrange interviews or for more information please contact the NCUB Press Office – Will Hoyles 07772 512519 will.hoyles@ncub.co.uk