09.07.07
Europe looks to CUC

The Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) partnership showcased its successes at a major EU summit recently. Around 100 delegates from across the European Union converged on the Tremough campus in Penryn to discuss the best ways to rapidly turn new innovations into commercial successes.

The conference, titled 'Beyond Best Practice: Taking new knowledge rapidly to market', was hosted by the South West RDA and was attended by Danuta Hübner, the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy. The delegates represented some 25 EU regions and 19 member states.

CUC was chosen as one of three case studies to spark discussions at the summit, an opportunity welcomed by executive director, Dr Ian Tunbridge: "Cornwall is pioneering a new, partnership based approach to university education which is rooted in a desire to serve the needs of the region's people and businesses. We are rapidly establishing a name for ourselves as a Europe-wide leader in collaborative education. Yes, there's still a great deal we want to do to strengthen our role in Cornwall's renaissance, but I think it is a measure of how far the county has come in recent years that other nations are now looking to us as a source of inspiration. Six different countries have already expressed an interest in working with us in the future."

Peter Castell, CUC business development manager added: "From its inception CUC has sought to build on the creativity and drive which are at the heart of many of Cornwall's businesses, most of which are small companies. By working as a partnership of universities and colleges we have been able to offer the full spectrum of support, from graduate placements to specialist help with R&D – whatever the business needs to get ahead. We've also endeavoured to make this support easily accessible to small businesses and this has helped them to rapidly convert their ideas into successful new products and services."

The other case studies were Wave Hub and Aerospace composites. The summit took place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th July.

For further information contact David Kirk, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer, on 01326 370471 or email david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), and in Unlocking Cornish Potential through the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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