Research has shown the impact of Greater Manchester’s universities on the city region, its people, and businesses, one year on from the signing of a flagship agreement,
The Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement commits the five higher education institutions – University of Bolton, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, University of Salford and Royal Northern College of Music – to collective action around the six priority areas of education and skills; reducing inequalities; jobs and growth; the digital economy; net zero; and the creative and cultural economy.
And to mark the first anniversary of this pledge, research, commissioned by the Greater Manchester Civic University Board, shows that in the next five years the universities will train nearly 9,500 nurses, over 3,500 medics and over 8,500 teachers;
They will provideover £366 million of support and services to small enterprises, business and not-for-profits and undertake research with businesses and non-academic organisations worth over £1.3 billion;
The Civic University Board was established following the launch of the partnership and is made up of representatives from the five higher education institutions and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
This board will drive forward the collective civic work of the universities. Significant progress has already been made in identifying the priority areas – education and skills, and jobs and growth.
The Greater Manchester university vice-chancellors and principal said: “Greater Manchester’s universities are one of our region’s greatest strengths and while we have always recognised our individual impact, together we know that we can do more.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester is proud to be home to world-leading universities that make an enormous contribution to our region. The Civic University Agreement recognises the essential role they have as anchor institutions, while setting out their responsibilities to our city-region beyond teaching and research.
“One year on from signing this landmark agreement, we’re beginning to see the benefits that closer collaboration can bring. Our universities will continue to carry out ground-breaking research, provide people with valuable skills and foster innovation and entrepreneurship, while also ensuring this contribution benefits everyone in Greater Manchester.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and GMCA Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and International, said: “Greater Manchester’s universities play a fundamental role in our society and economy. Their teaching and research attracts tens of thousands of people to our city-region each year, and universities also support businesses, spark economic growth and play an important role in communities.
“The Civic University Agreement formally sets out the priorities we share and the contribution universities can make as we seek to create a fairer, greener and more prosperous city-region. With this agreement now established, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration and realising the collective potential we have to make a positive impact.
“Through their support for initiatives like Innovation Greater Manchester and Open SME, and becoming Living Wage Employers, universities are helping us shape the city-region’s economy so it delivers the right kind of growth.”
