Universities meet at Innovation for Business Conference

University leaders met to talk about how they could forge closer working links with local businesses, giving them the chance to make the most of the expertise, research and facilities at their disposal.

Representatives from the South East Midlands Universities (SEMU), including The University of Buckingham, addressed dozens of businesses at the Innovation for Business Conference and Marketplace event, held at the Transport Systems Catapult Centre in Milton Keynes.

An expert panel, which also included Cranfield University, The Open University, The University of Northampton, University of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire New University and University of Central Milton Keynes, showcased their potential to support businesses.

The event, organised by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s Velocity Business Support programme, aimed to support innovation and explore the challenges of innovation.

The event saw the unveiling of SEMLEP’s new ‘Universities Mean Business’ prospectus, which sets out the offer that Universities in the South East Midlands provide through their higher education, innovation and research activities.

Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities said: “The collaboration between these seven universities in the South East Midlands and local businesses is an excellent example of how to get the most from the UK’s education, innovation and research potential.”

John Spoerry, of The University of Buckingham Business School, said: “We are an independent university but we punch well above our weight. We get people to open up their minds. Rather than concentrating on teaching, we focus on learning.”

Collectively, the South East Midlands Universities (SEMU) generate a combined annual income exceeding £928 million (2012/13) through their higher education, innovation and research activities. The Universities Mean Business publication can be downloaded here.