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University of Reading selected for new Government enterprise initiative – University of Reading

The University of Reading has been invited to be one of the first universities to form part of the new Government University Enterprise Networks (UENs).

The Networks are the first of their kind and will focus on establishing a culture of enterprise in universities by providing training, advice and encouragement to students and graduates who wish to develop their business ideas or wish to become innovative employees. The University of Reading, with its leading status in science and engineering research, teaching and entrepreneurship, will be one of the first universities represented on the UEN for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Professor Christine Williams, Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise at the University of Reading, said: "The University of Reading already offers many opportunities for students to develop entrepreneurial and enterprise skills but membership of the STEM UEN will enable us to do even more for our students and for early career researchers. The network will give us greater opportunity to engage more closely with business, to actively involve them in our enterprise activities and to develop best practice in collaboration with other universities in the network. We aim to ensure that Reading graduates are at the forefront of the 21st century innovation challenge."

The UENs follow on from a commitment made by the Government in its Enterprise Strategy to further promote and support the development of enterprise. Each UEN will be supported by sponsorship from privately owned companies that will give students first hand experience of enterprising workplaces.

Shriti Vadera, Minister for Economic Competitiveness and Small Business, said: "Making graduates more business savvy and entrepreneurial is essential to Britain's long term competitiveness. I would like to see more University Enterprise Networks between businesses and investors to encourage this".

The University of Reading is already one of the leading universities in offering course modules in entrepreneurship to all its undergraduate and postgraduates student across the whole ₁. An exhibition showcasing the business ideas and proposed start-up strategies of 200 students enrolled in the flagship entrepreneurship course, The Practice of Entrepreneurship, will take place on 26 November at the University.

Dr Janjuha-Jivraj, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Reading, said: "The entrepreneurship courses at Reading are very interactive, focussing on experiential learning to develop entrepreneurial skills among the students as well as equip them with a grounding in the nuts and bolts of business start up."

The University also has a thriving Knowledge Transfer Centre, placing students, supported by academic expertise, in local companies to offer them business experience. The University's SEED scheme offers summer holiday work placements in local business and the chance of students to take on real business projects. In addition, the University provides a professional service to help academics engage with businesses, business planning and project support, expert advice and support to staff and students on all aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) management.

ENDS

Further information from Alex Brannen, Media Relations Manager, on 0118 378 7388

Notes to editors:

₁Entrepreneurship course modules at the University of Reading

Student Enterprise – first year students

Practice of Entrepreneurship - Part 2, 3 or postgraduate

University Enterprise Networks

Around 100,000 students and graduates will get the chance to develop world-class skills as entrepreneurs and business leaders with the launch of the first University Enterprise Networks (UEN). Shriti Vadera, Minister for Economic Competitiveness and Small Business launched the Networks at a reception at the Microsoft Offices in London on 20 November. The launch took place on Social Enterprise Day – part of Global Entrepreneurship week.

The three University Enterprise Networks (UENs) which were announced on 20 November are the STEM, Innovation, and Nuclear networks:

• The STEM UEN will be led by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in collaboration with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and sponsored by Microsoft and other major companies. The first universities to express their commitment in principle are the universities of Cambridge, Cranfield, Hertfordshire, Oxford, Reading, and Southampton. SEEDA and EEDA will concentrate on technology based, high growth enterprises.

• Innovation UEN will be led by Advantage West Midlands, and supported by sponsored by HP's MAEI (Micro Enterprise Acceleration Institute), BT, and CISCO, with Coventry University. The UEN will focus on helping students understand how Web-based Technologies can be exploited in the creation of new business ideas, and in helping small businesses collaborate with large co-operates in the development and launch of new products in the context of the "market".

• Nuclear UEN: led by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), and supported by Westinghouse UK. The first university to sign up to the network is the University of Central Lancashire. The Nuclear UEN will play a major role in helping graduates acquire the innovative skills that companies across the breadth of the nuclear sector seek.