Northumbria University hosted a special roundtable event and
Rutherford expert discussion dinner with special guest, George Freeman,
Minister for Science, Research and Innovation in May.
The roundtable brought together 14 key stakeholders from
businesses the University partners with to drive innovation and research. The
discussion focused on how collaborations between leading businesses and higher
education institutions can serve as a driver for regional growth and “levelling
up”, provide opportunities for skills development within the labour market, and
make a positive difference to people and communities. It also highlighted
successful partnerships between Northumbria and businesses based and operating
in the North East.
Speaking during a special roundtable event and Rutherford
expert discussion dinner,
George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, talked about
how the North East is leading the way in clean technologies and smart economy,
supported by institutions like Northumbria. He said: “something very important
is going on in this part of the world, and a lot of if it has its roots here in
this institution…”
He talked about how the University is “at the heart of the advance
skills of tomorrow’s economy” and is integral to providing “…growth for the UK
but also new jobs, new opportunities, new hope for a generation here in the
North East, proud of their heritage and now seeing that they’re on the
frontline of building tomorrow.”
Watch the Minister's full talk in the video below.
Following the event, additional stakeholders and opinion
formers from across the region and beyond joined the Roundtable guests for our
annual Rutherford Dinner to discuss some of the most pressing policy challenges
facing higher education and business.
The 24 guests took part in a facilitated, expert discussion
and a keynote address was delivered by George Freeman MP, Minister Science,
Research and Innovation. The dinner widened the afternoon’s discussion to
explore how cross-sector collaboration and partnerships can drive innovation,
greater opportunity and prosperity.
Watch some of the highlights from the events in the video
below.
