Economic Challenge Investment Fund to help strengthen links between graduates and local businesses

The University of Kent welcomed the news that it has been jointly awarded £311,563 under the government's Economic Challenge Investment Fund.

As part of a partnership led by Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent will be working with the universities of Greenwich and the Creative Arts to address immediate economic challenges through rapid placement of graduates with businesses in Kent and Medway. Funding will also go towards establishing a framework for a graduate consultancy accessible to local firms, thereby retaining higher level skills within the local economy.

The four universities will be seeking to strengthen the links between graduates and local businesses as part of the 'Kent Universities for Business and Enterprise' (KUBE) partnership. The £311,563 grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England will be invested in the partnership's 'Business First' project, the first of its kind in Kent. This project will provide businesses with a single point of access to the county's finest graduates.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Denise Everitt said 'The University of Kent is already working to help local people and businesses to cope with the recession, and we welcome the opportunity to join forces with other universities in the region in this way.'

The local economy will shortly receive a boost from the new Canterbury Innovation Centre, currently under construction on the University's Canterbury campus. Due for completion in October 2009, the Centre will provide high-tech incubation space and support for entrepreneurs. Funded by SEEDA and built by the East Kent Spatial Development Company, it is part of the University's strategy to encourage innovation and enterprise within the University and to make it more attractive for graduates to stay and work locally.