University of Leicester in new pact to work closely with regional business
THE University of Leicester is strengthening its relationship with business and professions in the region through a strategic alliance with the Leicestershire Asian Business Association (LABA).
Leaders from LABA met with senior staff from the University of Leicester to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two organisations work closely together in a wide spectrum of academic and business-facing activities.
As part of the new pact, LABA’s Indo British Trade Council will be hosting a major buyer and seller conference at the University of Leicester on 30th & 31st Aug and 1st Sept involving the UK and India SME’s in the Food and Drink Sector.
The three day event will address the complexity of sourcing, meeting international legislation, food innovation, new business models, distribution channels, meeting quality, cost, and delivery and sustainability criteria. This event, the first of its kind in Europe, will bring together industry professionals and academia to disseminate some of the latest perspectives in the food and drink area and discuss future challenges.
Professor Kevin Schurer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Leicester said the MOU marked a major step forward in the University’s strategy to work more closely with business, industry and the professions.
“The University of Leicester can bring a wealth of expertise to add value to business and industry by driving innovation, improving efficiency and delivering training which will make a difference to the bottom line within companies. In these difficult economic times, business cannot afford to ignore the efficiency gains that partnership with the University can deliver and for this reason we are pleased to be working with LABA in order to make available the resources of the University to the wider community.”
LABA President Jaspal Minhas added: “The MOU consolidates existing links into a strong collaboration between business and the University research, design and enterprise faculties. My primary focus has been to give impetus to economic activity and business growth, to increase inward investment and improve employment for local people and in the region. This business consortium has the acumen to achieve much for many”.
LABA will work with the University in a number of ways including supporting the appeal for a new Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital which will help to translate the latest in research advances into patient benefits; supporting diabetes research at Leicester and in terms of raising the profile of the University in markets in India, for example enhancing links with the space agency in India.
LABA proposes to provide a presence for the University at its Business Advice Centre and International Trade Centre as well as promoting spin-offs and attracting public sector funds for enhanced research. There are plans for joint networking activities as well as plans for a LABA/University lecture series for the business community.
