About 100,000 students and graduates will get the chance to
develop skills as entrepreneurs and business leaders with the
launch of one of the first University Enterprise Networks (UENs),
sponsored by Microsoft.
Shriti Vadera, minister for economic competitiveness and small
business, launched the networks at a reception at the Microsoft
offices in London.
The networks will focus on the areas of science, technology,
engineering, and maths (STEM), innovation, and the nuclear sector.
The networks will be managed by the National Council for Graduate
Entrepreneurship (NCGE).
The UENs aim to establish a culture of enterprise in
universities by providing training, advice and encouragement to
students and graduates who want to develop their business ideas or
wish to become innovative employees.
Each network will be further supported by sponsorship from
privately owned companies and regional development agencies
(RDAs).
Vadera said, "Making graduates more business savvy and
entrepreneurial is essential to Britain's long term
competitiveness. I would like to see more UENs between businesses
and investors to encourage this."
Stephen Uden, Microsoft UK head of skills and economic affairs,
said, "We are looking at a long period of economic uncertainty.
That does not mean that business does not go on, or that there will
not be opportunities for those who can take advantage of them. What
it does mean though is that those leaving university need to have
the right skills to succeed."
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
to this UEN are the universities of Cambridge, Cranfield,
Hertfordshire, Oxford, Reading, and Southampton. SEEDA and EEDA
will concentrate on technology based, high growth enterprises.