The Warwick Network
The University of Warwick is committed to enhancing its engagement with the West Midlands region, aiming to build closer partnerships with local authorities, businesses, and community organizations. With a strategic focus on raising its visibility among key decision-makers, Warner seeks to significantly contribute to the region's economic, social, and cultural landscape. The university's initiatives will enhance collaboration, attract funding, and support regional development, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for Warwick and the local communities.
The Warwick Network
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Presentation Transcript
The Warwick Network Working with the Region Thursday 27th July 2006
Our Region Source: Advantage West Midlands
The West Midlands • Area of 13,000km2 • Population of 5.3m • Economic output £69bn, 8.1% of UK GVA • 12 HEIs with an income of @ £1.3bn Source: HEFCE Regional profiles of higher education 2006: West Midlands
Our Sub-Region Source: Wikipedia
Sources of income from HE-business and communityinteractions for each region (2003-04) Source: HEFCE Regional profiles of higher education 2006
Why Engage ? • Devolution of power from Central Government • Decisions on policy will be made regionally which affect the University • No devolved assemblies but City Regions and elected Mayors ? • Devolution of funding from Central Government • Access to funding from regional sources • Greater opportunities for collaboration with business, the public sector, other HEIs and regional organisations • Greater visibility will allow the University to continue to attract staff and students • A responsible neighbour…
Strategic Aims • Raise Warwick’s profile amongst the region’s main opinion formers and decision makers • Promote the features which distinguish us from other HEIs in the region • Build closer and fruitful relationships with the key regional and sub-regional organisations • Increase the influence we bring to bear in regional activities • Attract more funding for Warwick, from regional budgets • Improve the co-ordination of our engagement activities across the University • Elicit support from regional and local organisations for our current and future plans.
Key Regional Partners (1) • Advantage West Midlands (AWM) the Regional Development Agency: • @ £250m PA budget • Delivery of economic and social benefit via Corridors, Clusters and Regeneration Zones • West Midlands government bodies: • Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) • West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA) • West Midlands Regional Observatory (WMRO) • Marketing Birmingham • Birmingham City Council • Coventry City Council • Warwickshire County Council • Warwick District Council
Key Regional Partners (2) • West Midlands business organisations • Birmingham Forward • Birmingham Chamber of Commerce • Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce • West Midlands Business Council • CBI West Midlands • IOD West Midlands • Business in the Community • Cultural and sporting organisations • Culture West Midlands • Sport England West Midlands • Sub-regional partnership bodies • Coventry Solihull and Warwickshire Partnerships • Coventry Partnership • Warwickshire Partnership.
Key Messages • Warwick is a top-ten University in the UK, and the leading University in the West Midlands • Warwick has a number of academic departments which are world class • Warwick has the skills and “intellectual capital” to contribute to the preparation and implementation of the West Midlands Economic Strategy, and the region’s other strategic programmes • We already make a significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the West Midlands • Warwick is keen to collaborate with regional and sub-regional bodies and other HEIs on projects which benefit the region and its communities • We could act as a focal point for partnership working across regional boundaries • We are genuinely interested in engaging with our local and regional community.
Regional Impacts by Sector Source: UUK West Midlands Economic Model - Fig 2: Results for Output Impact on Region University of Warwick
Total Regional Impact Source: UUK West Midlands Economic Model - Fig 2: Results for Output Impact on Region University of Warwick
Working with the Region • Warwick Manufacturing Group • SMEs, Manufacturing, ERDF, PARD • Warwick Business School • Public and private sector • Warwick Medical School • Training, CPD, Community Research • Warwick Arts Centre • Public performances, outreach • Warwick Volunteers • 2000+ volunteers • Warwick Sports • International Children’s Games, Olympics, Access to facilities • Etc, etc, etc
Campus Development • University Development Plan updated • Project Team working on scheme for more than two years • Three phases of “pre-application consultation” • Main issues – transport & Green Belt • Submission of Outline Planning Application Sept 2006 • Decision in 2007/2008?
Future Challenges • Campus Development • Punching our weight • New Regional Economic Strategy • New EU Structural Funds Programme • Etc…
Some questions • How do we engage more effectively with our region ? • Do we understand why we want or need to engage with our region ? • Do we know all the ways in which we engage? • Could we do more and could we celebrate our engagement more effectively ? • What do people think of us ?