The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) dedication to local regeneration, enterprise and research partnerships has been recognised by a new national framework.

In the first Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), UCLan scored in the top 20% of all English higher education providers in three areas:

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• Local growth and regeneration
• Skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Working with the public sector and third sector

In addition, the Institution’s research partnerships and public and community engagement have been ranked in the top 40%.

Read more: Project to recreate a missing episode of Doctor Who wins award for UCLan

Professor StJohn Crean, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said: “The KEF is the first time the rich contributions that English higher education providers make, both economically and socially, on both local and national levels, has been recognised.

“I’m delighted we have scored so highly in these areas, especially in our research partnerships as we are ahead of our cluster average. It’s fantastic recognition for the hard work being undertaken across the University.

“As an institution we are committed to education, research and training that will increase qualifications and skills and boost inclusion and productivity across Lancashire and the North West.”

As an anchor institution, UCLan is fully immersed within the regional growth and regeneration ecosystem, through its active participation in and support to the North West University’s Economic Development Unit, chambers of commerce and industry, local authorities, the Allied Health Science Network, various NHS Trusts, Burnley Bondholders, Preston Partnership and sector bodies such as the North West Aerospace Alliance. 

The University represents Lancashire at regional and national levels including discussions with Government departments.

Regeneration within Preston can also be seen in UCLan’s £200 million Campus Masterplan, as it is transforming the appearance of the University Quarter with state-of-the-art new buildings and public spaces.

Read more: Graduation ceremonies set to return for UCLan students in September

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the University’s close ties to the public sector led to medicine and nursing students graduating early to help North West NHS Trusts deal with the surge in demand for urgent health care.

The University has long-standing research partnerships with a wide variety of corporations including NASA, Google, BAE Systems, NHS, People’s Health Trust, British Cycling, Silent Night and Recycling Lives Ltd.

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The KEF has been undertaken by Research England and involved 117 institutions. It compares institutions on a like-for-like basis, with similar institutions being grouped together with their peers in ‘KEF clusters’ based on factors like their size, specialisation and the intensity of their research activities.

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