Teesside University: Understanding the needs of its region
Claim for distinctiveness: Placing themselves at the heart of their region by listening to the needs of local people and businesses and taking a can-do attitude to satisfying those needs.
The VC’S view:
“I describe Teesside as distinctive in three areas: business-focus, a can-do attitude and widening participation.
I know a lot of universities claim distinctiveness based on a business focus; but we believe that we do it differently. We don’t go in to companies to sell what we have; we go in and talk to them and find out what their issues are, so that we can offer them the business solutions that they need. It may be that that solution is a knowledge transfer partnership, a research project, or an internship. We are very proud to say that we aim to behave like a business. We offer the same service standards, the same turn around times, and the same levels of professionalism.
We are a can-do organisation. People tell me that what’s good about Teesside is that there are 2,000 people who all share the same vision, pulling in the same direction, and who want to contribute to the development of this region.
It’s a very flexible, responsive, friendly place, and that’s something we’ve nurtured over the last decade.”
In this case study discover:
- How did they work towards their distinctive identity?
- What did they learn?
- How do they know it's working?
Topics: Establishing your distinctiveness, Case Studies, HE Case Studies.