Welcome to Universities Week

Monday, 13 June 2011

Taking place from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 June, Universities Week aims to improve the public understanding of the benefits which universities bring to the UK economy and society.

We are extremely proud of the value that the University of Reading adds to our region's culture and economy. Not only do our staff and students generate world-leading research, but we also assist hundreds of businesses in the area and train over 3,000 new members of the workforce every year.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gordon Marshall said; "People often forget how influential universities are to their local economies. The University of Reading contributes some £600 million per annum to the regional economy through our investment in local goods and services, our work with local businesses, or major building projects such as our new halls of residence. We are a major employer in the region, with over 4,000 people employed directly at the University, and many thousands of jobs also being created indirectly as a result of working with the University."

How we are celebrating Universities Week

Events at the University of Reading during Universities Week:

- Official opening of the Reading Enterprise Centre

The centre will create a new community of innovation and technology-based companies on our Whiteknights campus. The launch is taking place on Tuesday 14 June

- Celebrating Community Success

We will be marking the achievements and impact of students and local volunteers who have made a personal contribution within our university and the wider community, at a ceremony on Wednesday 15 June

- University Showcase at the Oracle Shopping Centre

We are inviting the community to find out more about the University and our research at a special day at the Oracle Shopping Centre on Saturday 18 June. Come along and support us.

Please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/thevalueofuniversities/ for much more information on the value of our University.