THE University of Chester has been recognised nationally for its hugely positive impact on business, local growth and regeneration, as well as its commitment to public and community engagement, in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF2) benchmarking exercise.
The results of the second Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF2) have been published today – Tuesday 27 September 2022, with the University in the top 20% for Research Partnerships, Working with Business, and Local Growth and Regeneration, as compared against its peers.
It also placed the University of Chester in the top 40% for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Graduate Start-ups against its peers, making the institution above average in 4 of the 7 perspectives in KEF2.
The aim of the KEF2 is to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for knowledge exchange and to further a culture of continuous improvement in universities. It enables institutions to have better understanding of their own performance, as well as providing businesses and other users with more information to help them to access the world-class knowledge and expertise that exists in English universities. An example of knowledge exchange is when universities take the leading research and understanding they are recognised for and translate it into impact that benefits the economy and society more generally.
Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of Chester, Professor Paul Bissell, said: “We are delighted with the outstanding outcomes of KEF2, following the clear and consistent improvements in both the volume of quality of research in REF2021 earlier in the year. We are encouraged to see world leading and internationally excellent research produced at University of Chester being used to deliver benefits to our region and beyond. As the quality of our research improves, we are also seeing real impacts on the communities we serve, which is great to see.”
The University of Chester offers its knowledge, skills and facilities to promote innovation and growth in businesses and organisations in the region and beyond.
Recent successes include the work of University of Chester Director, Joseph McArdle, and partners, which was shortlisted for a trio of national awards. The West Mercia Rural 5G (WMR5G) initiative operated in the rural area where the counties of Shropshire and Worcestershire meet. From 2020 to this year, it looked at solutions to the infrastructure issues when planning, building and operating a rural 5G network; and how 5G has the potential to transform services for the benefit of residents, particularly researching 5G-enabled health and social care applications and the impact on staff.
Starting this October, a new, unique course designed by the University of Chester with employers in Shropshire, Cheshire and Warrington is being offered by Chester Business School. The Gateway Certificate in Professional Education has been established to provide the skills that employers outline as the top priority for today’s, and the emerging, workplace. Focusing on real-life challenges in each workplace and finding solutions to them, the short course has been developed along with Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Business.
The University is involved in growth and regeneration in numerous ways, and its Citizen Students are encouraged to take a five-week work-based learning opportunity. Since 2011 the Venture Programme has supported over 1,000 students to explore their entrepreneurial potential. It has been awarded over £46,000 to help grow new ventures through the Excellence in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Scholarship and the Santander Entrepreneurship Fund, courtesy of Santander Universities UK.
The University’s community and public engagement includes lectures, exhibitions, partnerships, specialist provision and projects through centres and institutes, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional advisory services. It shares knowledge with the public sector extensively, including through teacher education, nursing and health, policing, and social work. The University engages with the community through multiple events including its Volunteer Celebration Evening, involving students, partner charities, community groups; the Annual Diversity Festival open to the public/partners and focusing on improving engagement, diversity and inclusion; and the High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise.
A Graduate Peer Mentoring scheme was piloted this year, which invited Chester graduates to give back to those just beginning their journeys; supporting mentees during their transition out of University and into their graduate careers, all whilst gaining beneficial experience for themselves.
Over the last year, the University has invested in developing its networks and partnerships, always with a focus on creating opportunities for students and graduates. In addition to ongoing work with the business community, this year the University signed a partnership agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council – a public commitment to achieving shared goals and introduced a community newsletter to better connect with the local community.
For more information, email [email protected].
