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University chiefs say their doors are ‘open to business’ as they bid to increase their positive impact on the North Wales economy.

The presence of Bangor University – with hundreds of staff and a £140m turnover – already helps the economy and the uni has been working to increase engagement.

But they believe more can be done to knock down perceived barriers that are holding some businesses back from utilising the expertise and facilities they have to offer.

Developments like the Menai Science Park on Anglesey, leadership courses, as well as support for events like the Daily Post Business Awards, are helping them do this.

Tudur Williams, business development manager at Bangor University, said the university is increasingly measured on how its research is impacting on the local economy and wider world.

He said: “We employ a significant number of people in the local area and the university has a turnover of around £140m. Simply by being here we play a role in the economy, but it is significantly more than that and we are being pro-active to engage businesses.

“Engaging with the external world is a core issue and is growing, we have a good track record but would like to build on it.

“Previously, much research would sit on a shelf and would not impact on the lives of many people. That does not happen any more.

“That is why we are keen to engage with as many businesses and organisations outside the university – not to sell our research for a commercial value but to impact on those organisations in a positive way, with cutting-edge research, which is applied in a business context.

“We want to know how our research can impact on the businesses and organisations out there, also how can we get our students involved in those companies, in those organisations, so we can improve the employability of our students leaving Bangor.

'We have facilities here that are second to none'

“Thirdly, we have facilities here that are second to none and can bring people in, sample what the university is about, possibly using laboratories and equipment, sitting down meeting other people – there is a lot going on.

“Getting people to realise that we are open to business is a challenge but that is what we are trying to do.”

Nia Wright Morgan, business development and marketing manager, said: “We have to ensure we are not seen by businesses in the community as being distant and just for students – that it is open to the community and definitely to businesses.

“We welcome people knocking on our doors and saying ‘what can you do for us’, or ‘how can you work with us’. We are looking for more of that.

Students wants links with businesses

“Even in Bangor people have seen the university as somewhere where people come to do their degree.

“Studying for a degree is a key part of our offer but there is an awful lot more we can do. The university boasts a wide range of conference and meeting facilities and we’re keen that the local business community knows that we’re able to accommodate a range of events.”

She added: “Students also want to know what links universities have with businesses so they can get internships, experience – they are much more savvy about that now.

“The better the link with businesses, the better it is for students at the university and for the businesses involved.”

Talking about what the university has to offer, Mr Williams added: “At the Management Centre we have an ION Lead course for leadership and management training happening right now, we have several business owners currently engaging this way.

Huge level of interest in Menai Science Park

“There is also the North Wales Business Academy to support business people, whether they are owners or managers, it gives them an opportunity to receive training in quite a wide variety of business areas, training such as business analysis, like marketing, HR and so on.

"They also fit in with running a business as we appreciate they are busy. Then we have developments like the Menai Science Park – the sheer level of interest is something we had not foreseen and we already have businesses committed.

“This is again about improving the way the university interacts with business.”

He added: “Hopefully those businesses who engage become a success and we see them again in the university at events like the Daily Post Business Awards and we can celebrate their achievements, which is why we want to play a part in these awards.

"A lot of people who have been successful at the business awards have been on these courses.”

Ms Wright Morgan added: “A lot of these courses are also about building that network of businesses coming together. Creating that forum is often really important.

“It can be really lonely running a business and if you are speaking to another business owner doing that and the university can help facilitate that, it has to be a good thing.”

Go to www.bangor.ac.uk for everything the university has to offer.

The Daily Post Business Awards take place at Bangor University on November 30. For tickets visit www.dailypostbusinessawards.co.uk , call 01492 574 472 or email: events@dailypost.co.uk