Design innovation attracts Universities Minister

Rt Hon. David Willetts MP also toured the 2010 ‘Reveal’ exhibition, Northumbria University’s graduate show which promises industry and design professionals the opportunity to ‘see the hottest fresh talent first’. He met students Bindi Mistry from Loughborough, Kate Eldridge from West Sussex, Luke Richardson from County Durham and Sarah Grant from Newcastle upon Tyne.

During his visit the Universities Minister discussed the role of design in the UK economy, was briefed on Design’s strong record in graduate employment and student enterprise, and discussed the University’s engagement with business and industry. He was guided around the School of Design by its Dean, Professor Steven Kyffin. Professor Kyffin, himself a Northumbria graduate, returned to the University at the beginning of 2010 from Royal Philips in the Netherlands, where he was Global Innovation Director.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, Professor Andrew Wathey FRHistS FSA FRSA, said: “This was an extremely welcome opportunity to introduce the Minister to staff and students in an academic and creative discipline which has a substantial role to play in the economic recovery and in Britain’s future success.  High-quality design and innovation, and design education and research in this country is world-class.

“I am especially pleased that David Willetts chose to spend time with final year students. Many of our Design graduates, people like Apple’s Jonathan Ive, go on to make a global impact, but Northumbria University also continues to provide the majority of graduates to North East employers, and its graduate employment record is the strongest of any university in the North East.”

Universities Minister David Willetts said: “Universities like Northumbria have a key role to play, alongside leaders in industry, in meeting the Government’s determination to build a strong and sustainable economy, based on highly-skilled jobs and world-leading expertise.”