Members of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) have visited the University of Cumbria to examine its place-based and employer partnerships. 

The Senior figures of the HEPI think tank were seeing how the University were addressing the need for more higher-level skills across the North West.

Demonstrating the power and potential of higher education and skills to the region, University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell invited HEPI Director Nick Hillman and the think-tank’s Director of Partnerships, Lucy Haire, to join her on a two-day tour.

Starting at the university’s campus in Bowerham Road, Lancaster, the party also visited Barrow, Ambleside and Carlisle on 4 and 5 April 2022.

Professor Mennell said: "I have been delighted to welcome Nick and Lucy to the university and the region, sharing our examples of partnership work that’s driving our mission to increase higher-level skills in Cumbria and our region.

"We can’t achieve this on our own. It is only by working with business, civic and other partners that will see us equip our students, graduates and communities to thrive and prosper for generations to come. 

"The university is working with employers to co-design and deliver programmes in key areas such as supply chain and logistics, advanced manufacturing, project management, business and cyber security, as well as health and social care – all of which are linked to the local economy and its communities."

The University of Cumbria is currently involved in several key projects to drive its mission to increase higher-level skills across the region and beyond, helping to build prosperity for future generations.

One such example is the Carlisle Citadels project. This is a new campus that includes a proposed Carlisle Business Exchange in partnership with Lancaster University Management School as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. 

Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) Nick Hillman said: "Having heard so many positive things about the work of the University of Cumbria, we jumped at the chance to come and see it for ourselves.

"I’ve been blown away by how important the university is to the local economy, to local employers and the opportunities offered to students, and how important it is to the economic life of the whole area."

READ MORE: https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/20051201.university-cumbria-announce-new-medical-school-carlisle/