Independent report identifies UENs offer strong potential to develop
new and cost effective approach to industry-academic collaboration
as the UK moves from recession to economic recovery and growth.

UENs can provide a return on investment of 8.2:1.

UENs offer good value for money in terms of potential economic impacts.

The five most advanced UENs have the potential to:
•    lever £5.8m from an investment of £3.5m;
•    create 204 gross new businesses;
•    create 344 gross new jobs; and,
•    £28.9m net additional GVA per annum.


For more detail see the EKOS Report.

Key UEN Principles and Objectives

A University Enterprise Network (UEN) is a tripartite partnership between industry, the public sector and Universities to make a substantial contribution to the long term competitiveness of the UK economy and social cohesion. Genuine collaboration between industry and universities is essential to a knowledge based economy and the vision is to have a network of UENs that will:

• enhance the capacity for universities to engage and collaborate with business to respond to business’s needs and result in greater, collaborative, research and development.
• support organisational change in universities providing an entrepreneurial environment for stakeholders, staff, students and graduates.
• ensure all students and graduates are provided with quality enterprise and entrepreneurship education in order that they contribute effectively to business growth whether as an employee or running their own business.

The UEN partners jointly develop a four year plan that focuses on building genuine business– university relationships tackling real issues relating to the businesses. The UEN plan also supports organisational change within the universities, embedding entrepreneurship across the institution and galvanises activity to engage the supply line of future graduates in the STEM subjects.

National UEN Overview

There are currently thirty-five founding partners engaging across five UENs: fourteen businesses, fifteen universities and six government agencies.

Funding

While UEN funding may vary depending on the main source of funds, we aim to attract extra resources over that period. The first year of the UEN is crucial and therefore, whilst being aspirational, focuses on getting concrete activity and embedding relationships between partners. It comprises three, synchronised, areas:

• Company: specific deliverables related to the participating companies
• The Entrepreneurial University: embedding a culture of entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Progression: development in schools, colleges, local communities

The funding of the UENs is in cash and kind from all partners. The general formula has been every £1 in cash or in kind from the RDA is matched by each business and each university. However, we are sensitive to the current economic situation and therefore flexible in arrangements.

Governance

All partners are Members and are represented on the Strategic Management Board.

The partners agree how the UEN grows and brings onboard new members and operates to an agreed Terms of Reference.

Progress is reported quarterly to the NCGE Board and through them to Government.

• NCGE to provide the Chair and secretariat to the Strategic Management Board.

Latest News