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N8 universities have developed Research Hubs - regional or national centres of excellence that
provide a focal point in specific priority areas for industrial innovation. For example:
The tools and skills that the Northern economy needs
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University of Sheffield hosts the Advanced Manufacturing
Research Centre, a world-class centre for research and
innovation into advanced manufacturing technologies.
This centre has over 80 industrial partners, and helps over
400 people from the age of 16, including apprentices, with
support through to higher-level qualifications.
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Biovale, conceived by the University of York, is a bioeconomy
innovation cluster that builds on world-class strengths in
renewable raw materials and agri-tech. The University's
Biorenewables Development Centre, as a key member of
Biovale, has developed more than 200 collaborative projects
with SMEs in the last 3 years.
>
Rise Up, at Newcastle University provides entrepreneurial
support. In 2014/15 nearly 2,500 students participated and
the University assisted with the creation of 35 student or
graduate-led ventures. Two of these have won prestigious
national awards. £2.1 million in external funding was secured
by graduate led ventures during 2015.
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Spark, at the University of Leeds, supports student enterprise
with business advice, grants and funding, modules and
mentoring. Spark workshops, modules, and annual
enterprise boot camp were attended by around 1,200
students 2015; 48 companies were launched by students
that year alone.
Innovative businesses need great business leadership. N8 universities play an important role in
skills training, particularly in enterprise and entrepreneurship. For example:
£2.1m
48
in 2015
in 2015
external funding secured by
graduate led ventures
companies
were launched
by students
from this work
80
200
industrial
partners
collaborative projects with
SMEs in the last 3 years
over
developed more than