Minister calls for an ‘Ivy League’ in North
‘Universities can deliver economy of tomorrow’
AN ‘IVY League of the North’ could rival the best universities in the world and boost the economy by developing new technology and a highly skilled generation of graduates, a Government Minister has said.
The rallying call came from Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry, who told leading academies that a prestigious partnership of higher-education institutions was needed.
He was speaking at the first Northern Powerhouse Higher Education Summit, attended by vice-chancellors, academics and researchers from the prestigious N8 Research Partnership, which includes the universities of Leeds, York and Sheffield.
Mr Berry said Northern universities were already developing cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing methods.
He said: “Now is the time to build on this success and bring about a new era of co-operation between universities in the Northern Powerhouse.
“We need an Ivy League of the North in which the N8 Research Partnership and our other great Northern universities combine their technical knowledge, expertise and knowhow to deliver the economy of tomorrow.
“At the heart of this we can create a highly skilled, highly educated new generation of graduates.”
Mr Berry said more collaboration would build on current innovations, including the work of the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
He said: “Our northern universities are developing cuttingedge technologies in areas such as advanced manufacturing at the AMRC and in experimental new 2D materials at the National Graphene Institute and Innovation Centre.”
The N8 group of Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York universities already deliver 119,000 jobs and £12bn to the regional economy, as well as supporting more than 31,000 businesses.
Dr Annette Bramley, director of the N8 Research Partnership, said: “I believe the future success of the Northern Powerhouse in rebalancing the UK economy and boosting the North’s economic performance is through deep collaboration – both pan-Northern and international.
“Bringing our region’s great universities together at the Northern Powerhouse Education Summit emphasises our shared commitment to creating the right conditions for innovation and entrepreneurialism to thrive.”
Yesterday’s summit was held at the prestigious Foresight Centre, part of the University of Liverpool.
Universities Minister Sam Gyimah said: “Universities play a fundamental civic role in our society by creating opportunity through education and research.
“The Northern Powerhouse partnership offers a vital opportunity to maximise relationships with local industry, and work collaboratively to deliver the skills that are needed for the future.”