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University of Wolverhampton supports the campaign to stay in Europe

29/02/2016

University of Wolverhampton supports the campaign to stay in Europe

The University of Wolverhampton is supporting the campaign to stay in Europe following the announcement of the EU referendum date in June.

Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said:  “The European Union has been very supportive of the University and its role in economic development.  Higher education is about learning from all and working collaboratively.  It is not, and never has been, about closing and restricting the frontiers of knowledge, innovation and invention.

“Being a member of the European Union has enabled the University to bring an enormous range of benefits to the communities we serve as well as contributing to economic growth locally.

Vice Chancellor Geoff Layer is appointed to Social Mobility Group

“Over the last few years we have received nearly £70 million of project and initiative funding from Europe which has enabled us to invest in our campus buildings and facilities, helped students to access higher education and helped our academics fund vital research projects.

“Leaving the EU would mean cutting UK universities off from unique support and established networks, undermining the UK’s position as a global leader in science and innovation.”

The University will be holding open debates, events and activities on the EU referendum in the run up to voting day, ensuring that students and staff are as informed as possible.

Over half the University’s internationally recognised research income comes from Europe and £8 million EU funding of the SPEED Graduate Business Start-Up programme has seen 620 successful regional businesses launched with nearly 1,000 regional jobs created. The university also has growing numbers of students from the EU, all investing money in the local economy.

EU funding has contributed to campus developments, providing state-of-the-art buildings and facilities to enhance the student learning experience. This includes £14 million of grants for Phase 1 & 2 of the Science Park in Wolverhampton, and £4.5 million from the EU for the Technology Centre Building, City Centre Campus.

Three buildings at Telford Innovation Campus have also been supported by EU funding from 2003, totalling £11m.

EU referendum positioning statement February 2016

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003/322736

Date Issued: 1st March 2016

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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