Regional impact 2012 - University of Kent

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT REGIONALIMPACT

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INTRODUCTION

I am delighted to be introducing this report onthe social, cultural and economic benefit of theUniversity of Kent.

This University has a strong academicperformance both in its provision of teachingand learning at undergraduate andpostgraduate level, and in its outstandingresearch and research training across ourthree faculties.

We sometimes forget, however, thatuniversities such as Kent contribute so muchmore. Everything we do is based on a strongsense of social responsibility. We support theregion through our campuses at Canterburyand Medway; a lot of our research leads tobenefits and outcomes which are positive forthe UK; and we have strong internationalconnections not only as the UK’s Europeanuniversity, but with our partnerships aroundthe world.

A recent report on our economic impact byViewforth Consulting has highlighted the £0.6 billion per annum economic worth of theUniversity of Kent to the south east – a figurethat has doubled over the past five years.

This massive contribution to the south eastcomes from both the direct and ‘knock-on’effects of the University’s activities. It includesthe spending power of our students, manyfrom outside the area, who alone contributesome £211million to the region’s economy.

The research also shows that nearly 6,800jobs in the south east are either supporteddirectly by the University of Kent or generatedby the ‘knock-on’ effects of our activities.

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Professor Dame Julia M GoodfellowVice-Chancellor

As an employer, the University supportsaround 2,500 full-time equivalent jobs, and afurther 4,234 jobs in the region result from theimpact of our activity and student spending.

Furthermore, it is not just the University’seconomic impact that is significant. We alsohave a major cultural and social impact on the south east region through, for example,our investment in music, theatre and art. Theopening of our new Colyer-Fergusson MusicBuilding in summer 2012 will help us bringmusic to an even larger audience.

We also have extensive sports facilities whichare well-used by local schoolchildren andother groups. Our staff and particularly ourstudents also help us to contribute to the localcommunity through their volunteering for localcharities such as Porchlight.

I hope you have a chance to look through thisbooklet and see the enormous positive impactthat the University has in the region, notforgetting the strength of our outreach aroundthe world.

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THE UNIVERSITYAND THE ECONOMY

Universities areimportant to theirregions, providing income as well aseducation.

IncomeThe principal aims of the University of Kentare naturally academic: offering an inspiringstudent experience; producing innovative,world-leading research; and enablinginnovation, enterprise and creativity. But it isalso a substantial, efficiently run business,with a total revenue of £173m earned from avariety of educational and related services.

The bulk of the University’s income, 82%, isfrom tuition fees, research income and somegovernment funding. But it also earns from arange of other sources, including consultancy,residential and catering services, conferencesand facilities hire.

With strong academic and business linksacross Europe and the rest of the world, a significant amount of the University’srevenue is from international sources. Feespaid by international students, income frominternational research and consultancy, andservices for international customers such as conference accommodation bring in anestimated £34.72m.

LEE MOORE, OWNER, THE BUTCHER OF BROGDALE‘I take pride in personally inspecting all the farms producing ourmeat. All the animals are raised traditionally in natural, stress-free environments and treated with care at all times. We alsohave our own herd of pigs and raise free-range turkeys.

‘We were really pleased when we were approached to supply the Gulbenkian, shortly after we opened for business about fouryears ago. We provide the Café with fresh meat, particularly

Added to that, the off-campus expenditure ofinternational students is estimated at £30.42m.Combined with international revenue, thisamounts to a figure of £65.14m, making animportant contribution to the UK balance of trade.

ExpenditureThe University’s total expenditure in 2009/10was just over £158m. Staff costs account for60% of this.

This expenditure generates economic activitythroughout many industries. The Universityitself buys goods and services from booksand stationery to legal services, and fromlaboratory equipment to catering supplies.

Studies of universities in the UK show thatthey have a relatively high propensity to spend in the UK rather than buy importedgoods and services, developing strong tieswith businesses in their region. Having been established for nearly 50 years, theUniversity of Kent has long-established links to businesses in the area and makes aconsiderable impact on the local community.

In addition to its own spending, the Universityhas a ‘knock-on’ effect on the economy. Itssuppliers in turn must make purchases, andits employees and students buy goods andservices, all creating income for otherbusinesses.

Keeping it localWherever possible, the University usessuppliers from the local region. This isparticularly evident in the Gulbenkian CaféBar, a showcase for local produce. Eggs arefrom Canterbury, cakes from Rochester, icecream from Ashford, bread and other bakeryproducts from Whitstable, meat from Brogdaleand beers and lagers from Shepherd Neamein Faversham.

Many of its bulk catering suppliers take pridein using local produce themselves, includingKent Frozen Foods which works with Producedin Kent to promote local and seasonalproduce.

It is estimated that this generates an additional£218.66m for UK industries, £187.89m ofwhich is in the south east, particularly in theareas immediately surrounding the Canterburyand Medway campuses.

As a non-profit institution, expenditure wouldnormally be close to income. However, in thisyear a financial surplus of over £15m wasplanned as part of the University’s aim toinvest in student facilities.

local beef and pork, as well as sausages and cooked hams – last year this amounted to £22,500 worth of business.

‘Not only do we have a good relationship with the University of Kent but, because it was so impressed by the quality of our produce, word spread and now we supply a number ofcolleges around the south east.’

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In 2009/10, the University and itsstudents generated £0.6bn for the south east region.


STUDENT SPENDINGPOWER

The University of Kent has nearly 20,000students studying inCanterbury, Medway,Tonbridge, Brussels,Paris and Athens.Many are potentialcustomers for Kentbusinesses andservices.While 82% of our students are from the UK,of which 39% are from the south east, 7% arefrom EU countries outside the UK, and 11%from the rest of the world – the Universityattracts students from over 120 countries.

The spending of those from outside the UK makes a direct contribution to the UKeconomy, while students from elsewherewithin the UK boost regional and localeconomies. It can be argued that localstudents from the south east do not make anadditional contribution to the economy but, by providing university places for them closeto their homes, the University helps to retaintheir expenditure within the region.

Despite the increased growth in onlineshopping, students spend a great deal in the local area, buying goods and serviceswhich in turn generate output andemployment in the south east and beyond.

As well as private rental landlords, local coffeeshops, pubs and clubs, cafés and restaurantsall benefit from student customers, as well astaxis, hairdressers and other services.

3,572 students from outside the UKspent an estimated £30.4m offcampus. This generated £42.71mof output, of which £36.81m was inthe south east, and over 404 full-time jobs in the UK, of which 360were in the south east.

8,387 students from outside thesouth east spent an estimated£74.5m. This generated £90.19m of output in the south east and over882 jobs.

7,665 local students spent £69.2m,generating £83.81m of output andmore than 820 jobs.

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VISITORATTRACTIONS

By bringing in visitorsfrom the UK, the rest of the EU and furtherafield, the Universityhelps to promote Kent as a visitor destination.In many ways, students who come fromoutside the region can be regarded as long-stay visitors; they in turn attract many short-stay visitors who spend money in the area.Events such as University Open Days andgraduation ceremonies draw in parents,relations and friends, all to the benefit ofCanterbury’s hotels and B&Bs. Other localhospitality, leisure and tourism services alsoreceive a boost from these activities as well as from casual visits.

Graduates are drawn back to visit the regionthanks to our alumni networks – particularlystrong in the USA, Hong Kong and China –which are becoming even more active associal and professional networking becomesmore important.

Our strong ties with the continent – as the UK’sEuropean university Kent has long-standingpartnerships with over 100 universities inmainland Europe – encourage studentexchange.

The University is the largest conference venuein the south east, and we were awarded BestUniversity Accommodation for Groups for thefourth year running at the 2011 Group TravelAwards. We have a self-contained conferencecentre that’s available all year, plus over 100meeting and conference rooms, en-suite andself-catering accommodation available overEaster and the summer.

This helps us play a valuable part in bringinghigh-spending conference visitors to theregion.

Our student accommodation is available forvisitors in the holidays, and has been giventhree/four star campus grading by EnjoyEngland, the website of the national touristboard Visit England.

1,635 visitor events held on campus

42,578 residential delegates

147,715 nights’ accommodation soldduring vacation periods

£3.3m income generated

“University Open Days and graduation ceremoniesdraw in parents, relationsand friends, all to thebenefit of Canterbury’shotels and B&Bs.”


STUDYING THE JOBS MARKET

With around 2,500 full time-equivalentjobs, from lecturers togardeners, we are amajor employer.As you might expect for a leading university,with some of the best teaching and researchin the country, many of those we employ areacademic professionals. But as a diverseorganisation, which maintains a large estate,accommodation for over 5,300 students atboth Canterbury and Medway, many sportsand leisure facilities as well as buildings andservices directly related to teaching, weemploy people with a wide range of skills andlevels of qualification.

Jobs you may not immediately associate witha university include drivers, retail and cateringstaff, welfare workers and caretakers. As wellas competitive salaries, advantages ofworking with us include a wide range oflearning and development opportunities, from general skills to pre-retirement courses.

Secondary employmentIn addition to staff employed directly by theUniversity, our expenditure has a noticeableeffect on additional employment. The types of goods and services the University and itsstaff purchase impacts on relatively labour-

DAVE CROWASSISTANT GROUNDSMAN‘I didn’t always want to be a groundsman, but while at college Irealised I wanted to work outside, and luckily for me everythinghas fallen into place. I got an apprenticeship at the Universitythrough Hadlow College, and I’ve been here two years now.

‘There are nine of us working on the grounds, and I’m one of two who look after all the sports pitches. But my first day wasspent shovelling snow – we all pitch in to lend a hand with anemergency like that.

‘There’s no such thing as a typical day here, but the seasons and the University activities dictate what we do. A great deal ofmy time is spent looking after the various pitches, reseeding,mowing and rolling, and we mark them out for the sports as well. Then the players come on and tear them up – but I don’tmind, it keeps me busy!

intensive trades such as manufacturing,wholesale and retail. This is estimated togenerate a further 2,436 jobs, 2,172 of them in the south east. This makes us a majorcontributor to the jobs market in the area.

‘It’s a great place to work – the people are really friendly, I’mlearning things all the time, and I enjoy the job. But it does get a bit cold in the winter up on this hill!’

Paul Griffiths, Grounds Maintenance Manager, adds: ‘Dave’sbeen a great success, and so now we’re about to take onanother apprentice; the University has quite a few others indifferent departments as well. I think it’s a great idea – I studiedgeneral horticulture at college which was good for all the theory,but there’s nothing like getting your hands dirty to really teachyou all the skills you need.

‘We’ve got 300 acres here [over 120 hectares] which takes a lot of looking after. It never stops, from mowing grass to hedge cutting, pruning, replanting – and if we can teachsomeone a trade at the same time, that can’t be bad.’’t be bad.”

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For every 100 full time-equivalent jobscreated in the University, another 96 jobsare generated outside the University, 85 of them in the south east.


Over 27,000 graduates of theUniversity of Kent have stayed in Kent.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Whether they areoriginally from thesouth east or have come to study at Kentfrom elsewhere, many of our graduates remain in the area and contribute to thelocal community.

Through local work placements relating totheir degrees, or through volunteering andother community activities, our studentsdevelop ties to the area. This is encouragedby both the University and by Kent Union, thestudents’ union, which together work to instil inour students a sense of neighbourliness andpride in where they live, work and study.

As one of 50 universities participating in thegovernment’s Graduate Internships 2010Scheme, we received funding to place 100graduates with small businesses in Kent. Thescheme aimed to support small businessestaking a graduate intern by providing financial

and administrative assistance. This givesparticipating businesses access to new skillsand fresh talent, while graduates receive workexperience and interview training.

For those graduates fortunate enough to takeup an internship, or who find that a workplacement leads to an offer of employment, or who decide to pursue job opportunities inthe area, the link with Kent can prove to be life-long.

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‘I’ve lived in Kent for nine years now. I came down here fromLondon – I’d had enough of the hustle and bustle up there and wanted something more sedate!

‘I chose to study for a degree in Social Work at the University of Kent partly because it has a good academic reputation, andpartly because this meant I could stay in Kent. During my timethere I had two excellent work placements, in Gillingham andMaidstone, and began getting a feel for what it would be like towork in the area.

‘I wanted to work with adults with mental health problems, and am particularly interested in the treatment of ethnicminorities. I’m really pleased that I was able to find work with the Rochester Community Mental Health Team, based at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

ANTONIETTA OGUNDIMUSOCIAL WORKER

‘It’s a great team. They’re all very easy to get on with, and if you have a problem there is always someone who can spare the time to help sort things out. I travel quite a bit to cover myarea, but I’m happy to do this because it’s important to givecontinuity of care to the people we help.

‘I’m also studying for a Master’s – Mental Health Social Work with Children and Adults – which I’m sure will help me become a more experienced, knowledgeable social worker.

‘I like where I live. I feel that I have strong ties with the areathrough my work and my children, and I hope that we will stay here.’

“The University and KentUnion work together toinstil in our students a sense of neighbourliness and pride in where they live, work and study.”


BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

From individuals with an idea but notthe know-how to turnit into a business, or SMEs wanting to develop, tocorporations needingtraining or research, the University of Kentcan help.With worldwide expertise, state-of-the-artfacilities and highly trained staff, we areperfectly positioned to provide innovativesolutions that give companies the competitive edge.

We work with a wide range of organisations,across all sectors. Our dedicated businessdevelopment unit, Kent Innovation & Enterprise(KIE) ensures that University resources areeasily accessible to businesses.

For practical and applied solutions to meet abusiness’s needs, collaborative research withthe University of Kent can provide the answer.With over 40 research centres and units, wehave the expertise which can make all thedifference to the changing demands of a business.

We provide a wide range of consultancyservices, from supply chain management tothe latest electronics design techniques. Weoffer a range of consultancy options whichenable companies to engage a specificspecialist, a carefully selected team of experts or one of our specialist centres.

TIM AND MARY ANN LE LEAN DIRECTORSOF YEAR ONE CONSULTINGBoth graduates of the University of Kent, Tim and Mary Ann hadmoved out of the area after graduating and built successful careersin management consulting and entertainment before deciding to gointo business together. They set up Year One Consulting in 2006 toapply their combined experience in providing business advice andsupport for organisations in the arts, creative industries, and highereducation. Now living back in Canterbury and aware of the city’scultural profile they worked from home before moving to offices, firstin Folkestone and then the Canterbury Innovation Centre.

‘East Kent is a very interesting area for the arts and creative projects– I think the University, and the city of Canterbury itself, is part of thedriving force behind this,’ says Tim. ‘We have worked with a numberof regional organisations who are part of this growth, including KentCounty Council, Visit Kent, The Creative Foundation in Folkestone,and Accentuate – the London 2012 Legacy Programme for the South

Knowledge Transfer PartnershipsKnowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)support UK businesses wanting to improvetheir competitiveness, productivity andperformance by accessing the knowledgeand expertise of UK universities and colleges,and is supported by government grants.

The University of Kent has run a number ofKTPs, recently being awarded funding of£124,776 for a Partnership between theSchool of Mathematics, Statistics andActuarial Science and KROHNE Ltd.KROHNE Ltd is in the forefront of world-leading flow and level measuring technology.They have previously worked with CambridgeUniversity on three KTPs.

Another recent high-profile KTP, between theSchool of Anthropology and Conservation, the School of Psychology and Pfizer UK Ltd,will utilise a social-science approach towardunderstanding workplace culture.

East. We are also involved in the region’s arts scene, sponsoringevents such as Canterbury Festival and the Folkestone Book Festival,and providing support for early career arts professionals.’

‘We considered a base in London,’ Mary Ann adds, ‘but the overheadswere far too high for a young company like ours. The InnovationCentre, with flexible, easy-in, easy-out leases and low-cost meetingroom facilities on site, is ideal and we were one of the first companiesto move in. Being so close to the campus is a real asset – our first full-time team member was a Kent graduate and we have collaboratedwith the Enterprise unit on a number of employability initiatives.

‘Our work is expanding and we have clients in London and the north west, but see no need to move from here. With the high-speedtrain service we are within easy reach of London and the rest of the country.’

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On 14 May 2010, the Canterbury Law Clinichandled the 10,000th query from a member of the public since recent records began in 1991.

By March 2007, the total amount ofcompensation obtained for clients exceeded £1m.

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LEGAL SERVICES

Kent Law Clinicprovides free legaladvice for local people.In a wonderfully successful partnershipbetween students, academics, and around 50solicitors and barristers in practice locally andin London, Kent Law Clinic provides a publicservice for local people who need legaladvice or legal representation but cannotafford to pay for it. It also gives students ofKent Law School direct experience of legalpractice, always under the close supervisionof qualified lawyers, and significantlyenhances their knowledge and understandingof law.

While being able to advise on many aspectsof law, the Clinic specialises in employment,housing, benefits, contract, consumer,negligence, nuisance, family, immigration,asylum, planning and public law mattersgenerally. The Clinic holds weekly advicesessions for members of the public in severallocal community centres from October toMarch, and works on cases taken onthroughout the year.

It is the longest-running example of such a university-based clinic in the country, andhas received numerous awards recognising its work, most recently the prestigious 2011Attorney General’s Award for the BestContribution by a Law School for itscommunity pro bono work. It was alsoshortlisted for Pro Bono Team of the Year atthe legal industry-leading The Lawyer Awardsin 2010, alongside a number of leading lawfirms, and in 2007 was awarded a Queen’sAnniversary Prize.

CASE STUDYKent Law Clinic has recently taken part in the longest footpathdiversion enquiry on record, helping villagers in Shipbournesave a treasured footpath as a public right of way.

Located in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,the now saved footpath runs from the kissing gate at St Giles’Church in the village of Shipbourne towards Ightham Mote, the14th-century manor house owned by the National Trust.

In April 2010, Kent County Council made a Public PathDiversion Order, allowing a landowner to divert the public awayfrom a significant part of the path. Shipbourne Parish Councilstrenuously objected to the Order, and was represented bystudents and staff from the Kent Law Clinic at a Public Inquiry,held in the summer of 2011.

Together with many other groups and individuals, it successfullyconvinced the Inspector that the diversion should not go ahead.Announcing his decision on 17 November, the Inspector said:‘The glimpsing views of Bassam Lodge and the church tower,before passing the Oast House and the direct view of thechurch, in combination, constitutes a walk of outstanding qualityand enjoyment.’

Vivian Chan, a third-year law student who worked on the case,was delighted with the result, saying, ‘I am so pleased to havebeen able to help preserve such a beautiful footpath.’

‘This is a wonderful decision and an important one,’ addedProfessor John Fitzpatrick, Director of the Law Clinic. ‘It respectsthe great pleasure which the public take in the precious network of public footpaths across the Kentish countryside.’

Louise Goldsmith, Clerk to Shipbourne Parish Council, was‘thrilled that this beautiful route across such glorious countrysidehas been preserved not just for villagers, but for the public atlarge. It has been a long struggle and in the end we could nothave done it without the help of the staff and students of the KentLaw Clinic.’

In a similar case and following a long campaign that began in2005, the Law Clinic also helped to preserve several public rightsof way through ancient woodland close to the village of Adisham.

“Kent Law Clinic is thelongest-running example of a university-based clinicin the country, and hasreceived numerous awardsrecognising its work.”

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SPORT FOR ALL

We have extensivesports facilities for all abilities and needs, from amateurenthusiasts toprofessionalsportspeople.With membership open to the public, ourextensive Canterbury campus sports facilitiesinclude a variety of playing fields, tenniscourts, two multi-use sports halls, acardio/fitness suite and a dance studio. Werun a programme of widely varying classes,from Ab-Attack to Zumba. There’s even a café where you can relax when it’s all over.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can useour fitness consultation service to discuss yourlifestyle and goals, and book review sessionswith our fully trained instructors.

Meanwhile at our Medway campus, the Centre for Sport Studies offers professionalservices to the public such as sport andexercise testing, psychology and nutritionconsultations, rehabilitation gym and a sportstherapy clinic.

We have worked with Medway Dragons RLFC,Medway Park Crusaders Basketball Club anda number of local sportspeople.

In addition, we have committed £3m towardsthe creation of Medway Park, a regionalcentre of sporting excellence. This £11m

OLIVER BECKINGSALE PROFESSIONALMOUNTAIN BIKE RIDER‘I represented Great Britain at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 OlympicGames, and now I ride for the Endura Racing Team.

‘However, in a big crash earlier this year, I broke the neck of myfemur – essentially snapping the ball off the hip joint. I’ve beenon crutches for 12 weeks, putting absolutely no weight on the legfor the first six weeks.

‘Luckily, my coach is Professor Louis Passfield at the Universityof Kent’s Centre for Sports Studies, and I am about to put myselfin his hands for some serious rehab work. I’ll be making full use

University of Kent / Regional Impact

of all the equipment at Kent, including their Alter G treadmill thatallows you to run while being supported by air – from 20% ofyour weight to total support – in a pressure-controlled chamber.It’s a brilliant piece of kit, very expensive, and one of only ahandful in the country.

‘There are several rehabilitation experts on the staff too, soalthough it’s going to be tough regaining my fitness, I’ll have thebest help. I’m also helping the University in a way – apparentlyI’m going to be the subject of several student dissertations!’

project, led by Medway Council, is a multi-sport, state-of-the-art facility, within which the University has dedicated seminar,research and therapy rooms. We are delightedthat the venue has been approved as a 2012training camp for 13 Olympic and eightParalympic sports.

Les Collins, co-founder of the Over 50s tennis group that meets on the Canterbury campus

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Over 75,000 seats were sold forperformances and cinema screeningsat the Gulbenkian during 2011.

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ENTERTAINING AND INFORMING

From catching thelatest independent filmto singing with ourstudents and staff, wewelcome everyone toshare in the cultural life of the University.

MusicIn an age-old tradition, local breweryShepherd Neame held its annual HopBlessing, a very specialised form of harvestfestival. A student vocal group from theUniversity sang at the service, and thenprovided musical entertainment during thehop-pickers’ lunch that followed.

This is just one example of how the Universityengages with the local community through itsmusic-making. Students of all subjects getinvolved in a wide range of extra-curricularmusic activities which have an impact on the cultural life of both the campus and thecommunity. Student musicians regularly givefundraising concerts in churches around Kent,in joint events with local schools and also joinin the annual Children in Need campaign. The University’s Music Scholars perform in alunchtime concert as part of the CanterburyFestival, the region’s festival of arts andculture.

The University also presents a number ofmajor concerts in the city each year, includingthe thrilling and inspiring Choral andOrchestral Concert in the nave of CanterburyCathedral which regularly attracts anaudience of over 1,000.

All the many concerts on the Canterburycampus are open to the public, including theLunchtime Concert Series, performed byUniversity and professional musicians andsponsored by local solicitors Furley Page.

The University also welcomes and encouragesthe local community to participate asperformers, and each year many musiciansjoin our students and staff to sing and play inthe University Chorus, Symphony Orchestra,Concert and Big Bands.

As Susan Wanless, Director of UniversityMusic, says, ‘it’s difficult to think of any otheractivity at the University in which so manystudents, staff and members of the publiccome together in such an enjoyable andproductive way. It is a very rewarding part of my job to nurture all the fantastic musicaltalent we have both within the University andthe community beyond.

‘This will become all the more exciting whenour state-of-the-art Colyer-Fergusson MusicBuilding opens in summer 2012. With theCity’s new Marlowe Theatre and the openingof the Beaney, Canterbury is becoming amajor player in the south east‘s flourishing arts scene.’

Open lecturesWe run an Open Lecture series in whichprestigious guest speakers cover a widevariety of topics. Everyone is welcome – thelectures are free, and no booking is needed.Recent topics range from the development ofthe Olympic Velodrome from procurement tohandover, the cell cycle and cancer, to thesearch for intelligent life.

Previous speakers have included LordPuttnam, Michael Mansfield QC, Lord Winston,and Joanna Lumley OBE.

Theatre and cinemaThe Gulbenkian theatre opened in 1969,established in the belief that the Universityhad a responsibility to its own members andthe people of the region to provide facilities tofoster the arts.

Since then, the arts centre has grown and nowencompasses a fantastic digital cinema withDolby surround sound, satellite transmissionand 3D system, a brilliant theatre, a vibrantcafé bar which is often used for smallperformances and a crossover gallery. With its welcoming foyer and licensed café bar, itprovides a warm welcome to students, staffand visitors who come together to enjoy adiverse range of live performance as well asindependent and world cinema.

The Gulbenkian also has a resident graduatecompany, The Bread Bin Project. This excitingnew company specialises in site-specific/responsive theatre. The Gulbenkian has alsosupported the development of a youth theatreon campus.

Susan Wanless, Director of University Music


REACHING OUT TO SCHOOLS

The University ofKent’s involvementwith schools andcolleges encouragesyoung people to see the value of highereducation and the partthat it could play intheir lives. Our outreach work introduces school andcollege students to the challenges andopportunities of a university education througha range of stimulating activities delivered bothin school and on campus.

In 2011, school and college students took partin more than 300 University events, includingDNA fingerprinting, Shakespeare workshops,animation projects and world languages days.In addition we regularly deliver informativetalks and workshops on student finance andthe UCAS application process.

The Partner School Scheme is an importantpart of this work. Students and staff at ourpartner schools have contributed to thedevelopment of a wide range of events,modules and activities which reflect the broadbase of subject areas, qualifications andmodes of study that the University has to offer.

Each year, more than 1,000 partner schooland college students benefit from ourStepping Up modules which help them tomake decisions about higher education andprepare them for undergraduate life.

ST ANSELM’S CATHOLIC SCHOOLCANTERBURY‘Our relationship with the University as a Partner School beganin 2005. We have taken part in a number of subject-specificactivities across maths, the sciences and arts, coveringfascinating topics such as space in architecture, and what wemean by Britishness.

‘Our pupils have also been to the University for taster days and A level lectures – recently the subject was the Cold War.

‘These sessions encourage our pupils to think outside the box,particularly when there’s project work to do. Lectures andseminars engage them by allowing them to hear about the latest research, and everything is presented at an appropriate,accessible level. This really brings a subject alive for them – it’sso different to teaching out of a text book, which is what usuallyhappens at school.

‘Student ambassadors from the University also come into theschool or take pupils around the University. They are much

In addition, our extensive use of carefullyselected and trained student ambassadorsgives school students the opportunity to workalongside current undergraduates whobecome powerful, and yet accessible, rolemodels.

We also help to remind parents and teachersof the benefits of higher education. Byenabling parents and teachers to adviseyoung people more effectively, we help tocreate an environment in which progression to university is seen as a natural step.

Finally, students from the University’s partnerschools and colleges are eligible to apply for a partner scholarship. Each year, two studentsfrom each partner institution are awarded£1,000 for each year of full-time study at theUniversity.

closer in age to our pupils, so make perfect mentors, showingthere really is something to be gained by going into highereducation.

‘We have a good number of successful pupils who go on touniversity. The rise in fees has made an impact, of course –there has been much discussion about that. But, hopefully, they can see that a university education is worth it in the end.Having the University on our doorstep makes it easier for them, as staying at home while you study means it’s less of afinancial burden. And the University of Kent offers scholarshipsto pupils from partner schools. One of our former pupils had a difficult upbringing but worked hard at school, winning a place at Kent and a scholarship. This has allowed him to break through the barrier – which is just what the scheme is intended to do.’

Andrew LeesCurriculum Manager – History

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The Partner School Scheme includes morethan 80 activities covering 26 subject areas.

Since September 2006, the University hasawarded more than £500,000 in partnerscholarships.

The University runs over 200 events each yearfor partner schools and colleges on campusand in schools.


GIVING SOMETHING BACK

We have a strongtradition ofvolunteering – a greatway of allowing ourstudents to play avaluable part in thecommunity.Kent Union, the student union, is the first portof call for an undergraduate who wants tovolunteer. From one-off activities such ashelping with charity collections, to long-termcommitments such as taking part in amentoring programme, many of our studentsare willing to offer their time and skills to local organisations.

Demonstrating the seriousness with which ourstudents regard volunteering, Kent Union wasthe first student union in the country to receiveInvesting in Volunteers status. This is the UKquality standard for good practice involunteering management, indicating that theservice run for student volunteers offers thebest experience, care and attention possible.

RACHEL VAN HOVEN COMMUNITYFUNDRAISING OFFICER FOR PORCHLIGHT‘Porchlight is a Kent-based charity helping anyone who ishomeless or threatened with homelessness. We provide streetoutreach, supported accommodation and homelessnessprevention services, with specialist services for people withmental ill health and young people aged 16 to 21.

‘Student volunteers are always willing to help with manyactivities, from office admin and setting up databases tosupermarket collections. If I have a specific task or event, I knowI can appeal for assistance and they’ll be there – most recently, a group helped us redecorate one of our hostels. They alsoorganise their own events, such as a five-night ‘sleep out’ to raise awareness of homelessness and collect money.

‘Student associations give regular donations, and last year thecollection at the University’s Christmas Service at CanterburyCathedral raised over £2,000 for our charity.

‘It’s not just the students but also staff at the University whosupport us, for example by selling Christmas cards and withfundraising events such as Picnic 4 Porchlight. We have alsoforged long-term links with some students who continue to make themselves available after graduating.

‘We have also commissioned research from the University, and helped Dr Sofia Stathi of the School of Psychology with her research into the public perception of homelessness. We provide workshops and volunteering placements tointernational students studying at the University’s Centre for English and World Languages.

‘We are very grateful for the University’s support, and in return can help students understand the complex problems of homelessness – it’s not just about providing a bed, but about getting lives back on track.’

We have strong ties with charities,including local homelessnesscharities Porchlight and CatchingLives, Samaritans, Kent WildlifeTrust, Guides, and Kent LibraryHospital Service. We aredelighted to encourage theseactivities and many more with theKent Student Certificate forVolunteering.

Kent Union also runs RaG – Raise and Give,which is dedicated to raising money for local,national and international charities. Frombucket collections to trekking the Great Wall of China, RaG aims to raise at least £100,000this year.

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Around 1,800 students dedicate over 46,000hours to volunteering each year.

In 2010/11, RaG raised £90,000 for charity.


2,457 tonnes CO2 saved in the past 12 months.

54.7% of all waste is recycled.

GREEN MATTERS

With stunninglocations – theCanterbury campus isin acres of parkland,and the Medwaycampus is part ofChatham Maritime –environmental mattersare close to our hearts.For many years, the University of Kent hasinvested in energy conservation projects, and encourages all staff and students to begreen-minded. In recognition of our carbonreduction and commitment to ongoingreductions, we were first awarded the CarbonTrust Standard in 2009 and have just beenrecertified. We are proud that our energyefficiency strategies have put us on target toreduce 80% of our carbon emissions between1990 and 2050. Here is a brief round-up ofour green initiatives.

Energy efficiencyEfficient heating is essential, particularly onour Canterbury campus with its commanding,but exposed, hilltop position. Therefore wehave invested heavily in heating controls, tothe extent that, at one stage, the system wasthe largest installation outside North America.

This has been steadily enhanced; every newbuilding is fitted with the system and oldbuildings are being retrofitted. Improvementsto one group of student houses in 2004 saved1,245 tonnes of CO2 in the first four years.

As we expand our campuses, we ensure thatnew buildings use the latest constructiontechniques to reduce the level of heatingrequired. They are also designed to meet the‘best practice’ industry standards onsustainability.

A Carbon Trust energy survey highlighted thescope for upgrading lighting and, as a result,inefficient light fittings have been replacedand lighting controls are being introduced.

Waste reductionWe provide comprehensive on-campusrecycling facilities for staff and students, fromclothes banks and battery collection points toprinter cartridge, paper and glass collections.Waste electrical equipment is also recycled,including fridges and monitors.

In the academic year 2009/2010, theUniversity recycled over 47% of all its waste,and in the next year aimed for 50% butactually achieved nearly 55%. This representsa significant increase in the tonnage of wastebeing recycled.

Green thinkingWe participate in the Green Impact Project,which began as part of the Degrees Coolerprogramme sponsored by Defra (Departmentfor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). This gives annual awards to Universitydepartments that have adopted goodenvironmental and ethical practices.

Other green initiatives include a staff car-sharing scheme, discounts for travel on public transport and on the sale and repair of bicycles. We even have a programme toimprove cycle shelters and provide dedicatedshower facilities for cyclists!

FairtradeThe University has recently been redesignatedas a Fairtrade university, making acommitment to use and support Fairtrade. It was first awarded Fairtrade status in 2006,at the same time that Canterbury, Herne Bayand Whitstable became a Fairtrade District. As Emily Crockford, the University’sEnvironmental Co-ordinator, says, ‘We arekeen to play our part within the local Fairtradedistrict. We have the purchasing power tochoose Fairtrade products and promote theseto our University community, as well asencourage debates on issues surroundinginternational trade.’

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SOURCES

This report took as its starting point a study,The Economic Impact of the University ofKent, conducted by independent consultantsViewforth Consulting on behalf of theUniversity and published in autumn 2011.

The primary focus of the study was theUniversity of Kent as an operating businessand the impact generated by its activity duringthe academic and financial year 2009/10.

It also examined the impact of off-campusexpenditure of international students (allstudents whose permanent domicile isrecorded as outside the UK, including otherparts of the EU as well as non-EU students) at the University that year.

It also analysed the additional injection into theregional economy of expenditure by studentsfrom the rest of the UK (ie, from outside thesouth east region), and of local (domiciledwithin the south east region) students. Thesouth east region is defined as correspondingto the Government Office Region.

The impact of the University on the UKeconomy was estimated using the most recentversion of the Universities UK modellingsystem, and then analysed using a LocalQuotient approach. The model is based on UKdata from the 2006 UK Input-Output Tables(Office of National Statistics) together withLabour Force Survey and Annual BusinessInquiry data and the 2008 UK Bluebook.

Specific figures used in the system wereacquired from the following sources:

University of Kent income 2009/10

University of Kent Finance Office

Higher Education Statistics Agency Resourcesin Higher Education Institutions 2009/10

International revenue, estimated by theFinance Office, includes non-EU fees, incomefrom international research and consultancyand other services to international customerssuch as conference accommodation.

University of Kent Hospitality Department

University expenditure and output2009/10University of Kent Finance Office

Higher Education Statistics Agency Resourcesin Higher Education Institutions (Finance)2009/10

Secondary ‘knock-on’ output and secondaryemployment generated by the University wasestimated using the Universities UK modellingsystem (2009) analysis

Student off-campus expenditureEstimated using Student Income andExpenditure Survey 2007/08 (Johnson, Pollardet all, Department for Innovation, Universitiesand Skills Research Report 09 05)

Expenditure calculated excludes any feepayments to the University; account is alsotaken of University accommodation chargesand other payments to the University, such asto catering outlets and so on – thereforeexcluding double-counting.

Information on student profile by domicileof origin: University of Kent Registry

All other information is from the relevantUniversity of Kent departments

For further information, includingthe Viewforth Consulting report, see www.kent.ac.uk/impact

Copies of the University of Kent’sAnnual Review and FinancialStatements are available from theCorporate Communications Office, The Registry, University of Kent,Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ.

Produced by the Corporate Communications Office.March 2012Designed and printed by the Design & Print CentrePhotographs by Matt Wilson, Simon Jarratt, Alison Hollis, Mick Norman.

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University of KentThe Registry, CanterburyKent CT2 7NZ

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Regional impact 2012 - University of Kent