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Partnership working aims to boost expertise

Plans to strengthen the region’s knowledge base have been boosted with the signing of an agreement between us and One NorthEast.

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will ultimately raise levels of expertise within a number of key sectors which have great significance for regional development. Strengthen joint working relationship The agreement, signed by Vice Chancellor, Graham Henderson, and the Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) of One North East, Pat Ritchie, will strengthen the joint-working relationship in areas including process engineering, digital technology and the media, health and social care and design.

Pat Ritchie said: ‘This agreement builds on the excellent working relationship, both at a strategic and operational level, already in place between the Agency and the university.

‘As a region we have set ourselves some very ambitious targets for future development, which we know we must if we’re to realise our full economic potential. However, no one organisation can achieve these targets – the key is for partners to work together to get the best out of the projects we’re delivering.

University has a reputation for excellence and expertise ‘The University of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ has established a reputation, both nationally and internationally, for excellence and expertise and if we can tap into that it will really endorse and complement the work we’re doing to improve our region.’

The MoU will ensure the work the University does will tie in to the goals of the Regional Economic Strategy, which highlights the need to create around 22,000 new businesses and get an extra 70,000 into work.

Other areas it will look to develop and strengthen are leadership and management; leisure, tourism and sport, social inclusion; and criminal forensic investigation.

Exciting initiatives Professor Graham Henderson said: ‘Our longstanding relationship with One NorthEast has seen the development of some truly exciting initiatives that directly support the growth of our regional economy.

‘The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations cements that relationship and underlines our commitment to working together to help achieve the aims of the Regional Economic Strategy.

‘It will see us working even more closely with Agency colleagues to maximise the University's contribution to the social, economic and cultural success of both the Tees Valley and the wider North East region.'

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