CBI: 50 YEARS OF BUSINESS INNOVATION | A CHANGING SOCIETY
ADDING SOCIAL VALUE TO THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
www.bradford.ac.uk
Academia is often criticised for being detached from the concerns of everyday life. However, this could never be said of the University of Bradford, whose motto underlines its practical approach to learning: “making knowledge work”. Indeed, the institution, which was set up in 1966 under the Wilson government, is committed to research that tackles social issues such as poverty and international conflict. With the oldest and largest peace studies department in the world, Bradford has been instrumental in the creation of civil societies. Graduates have taken key roles in conflict resolution, such as the Middle East peace process and landmine clearance in Central America. “We’re committed to outstanding research
that delivers value to society, such as improved healthcare, as well as working with industry,” says Professor Brian Cantor, the Vice-Chancellor of the university. “It’s all about the knowledge economy – the use of knowledge to generate real value to compete globally. As the technology university of the north and one of the few research-intensive ones in the UK, our mission is the application of technology to solve real- world problems.”
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APPLIED KNOWLEDGE The focus is very much on vocational courses such as computing and engineering, as well as on applied learning where students find solutions to problems that address a genuine need. With improving healthcare a priority for any society, Bradford students are working to prevent health problems, not just cure them. To this end they have assigned researchers across a range of departments, including the Schools of Health and Life Sciences, and of Engineering and Informatics. The university was recently awarded
£13 million to build an enterprise zone dedicated to digital healthcare. It is now building a health and well-being centre that will provide not only GP-led services, but will also test new research into a more efficient use of information technology in healthcare. The university is also ranked in the world’s top three for polymer engineering, and research is ongoing into the use of polymers to create implants for surgery.
A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY Not only is the university based in a vibrant multicultural city, but it also has a diverse
student population. The student body comprises around 18,000 students, including those based in Bradford and others overseas, and nearly two thirds of those from the UK are from a black and minority ethnic (BME) background. Proportionally, this represents the third highest BME population out of all 131 higher education institutions in England. And, despite having a significant number of students from deprived backgrounds, Bradford has one of the best employability rates in the UK. “We glory in the fact that this is a place of
great ethnic and social diversity, but it’s also a place that delivers into society,” says Professor Cantor. “We deliver quality professional and vocational courses that provide great job prospects for graduates.” Always looking ahead, Bradford has already
drawn up a 10-year roadmap. At an estimated cost of £250 million, the aim is to grow by 50 per cent – including in student population, research output and overseas activities. With its global reach and determination to solve real-world issues, this university is no ivory tower, but rather somewhere that “making knowledge work” is put firmly into action.
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