Backing for new uni network

THE Prime Minister’s enterprise adviser has voiced his support for a new Plymouth University-led network devoted to nurturing social enterprises.

Lord Young has backed the Social Enterprise UEN (University Enterprise Network), which aims to strengthen 2,000 social enterprises, by drawing on experts in the higher education and business sectors.

The UEN will create a “policy portal” to provide access to the latest university research on social enterprise, and offer internship opportunities for about 1,000 students.

It is led by Plymouth University, in conjunction with the Co-operative Group, Serco, the Social Enterprise Mark Company and the National Council for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE).

Lord Young backed the network at its London launch at the Institute of Directors.

David Frost, chair of NCEE; Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University; and David Richardson, Business Development Director for Serco’s Commercial and Local Government Division, also addressed guests from the university, social enterprise and private sectors.

Lord Young said: “I look forward to the Enterprise Network encouraging young people at university to create their own business and employ others.”

Prof Purcell said: “This is the first network of its kind in the country and presents Plymouth and its partners with a fantastic opportunity to lead the higher education sector in establishing best practice principles for social enterprise.

“Our ambition is for the UEN to make a substantial contribution to the long-term competitiveness of the UK economy and to social cohesion.”

The NCEE leads the national development of UENs with industry and academic partners.

The UEN will organise events aimed at students and SMES, regional workshops for small businesses and one-to-one sessions involving business start-ups and experts. It will also promote the benefits of sourcing from social enterprises.

The Universities of Salford and Northampton are already confirmed as partners to Plymouth, and negotiations are taking place with other institutions, and companies.

Mr Richardson said: “We’re especially pleased to be working with Plymouth University and its partners as we are keen to play a central role in forging ever closer links between the private, social enterprise and HE sectors.”

Source: Plymouth Herald 10/02/12