Business

Queen’s University continues to build on world-class international reputation

Isabel Jennings, director of marketing, recruitment, communications & internationalisation at Queen's University
Isabel Jennings, director of marketing, recruitment, communications & internationalisation at Queen's University Isabel Jennings, director of marketing, recruitment, communications & internationalisation at Queen's University

QUEEN’S University in Belfast, a business partner in this year’s Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, is one of the leading universities in the UK and Ireland and contributes over £1 billion to the local economy.

With an annual turnover of £340 million and home to around 24,000 students and 3,800 staff, the university plays a unique leadership role, supporting 9,250 full-time jobs across Northern Ireland.

Also, as a member of the Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities, an emphasis is placed on excellence in research, combined with a student-centred ethos in relation to education.

Making a global impact through excellence in research and innovation across a range of disciplines is central to Queen’s philosophy and researchers are at the forefront of discovery, working on ambitious projects to address global challenges and make a difference to society worldwide.

Ranked in the top 10 in the UK for research intensity, the Belfast seat of learning has had its prowess in research innovation recognised by six Queen’s anniversary prizes, the most recent of which was awarded for work on cyber security worldwide.

The university has also been honoured with Northern Ireland’s first Regius Professorship, awarded by Queen Elizabeth for excellence in electronics and computer engineering.

A world-leading research reputation has attracted investment from around the globe - during 2016-2017, more than £100m was secured in research grants and contracts.

Queen’s continues to build on its reputation as a world-class international university which supports outstanding students and staff, who work in world-class facilities and conduct leading-edge education and research, all focused on the needs of society.

It remains at the forefront of developing new thinking and technologies in key areas such as health, reconciliation, peace and justice, information technology, food security, and energy.

The unique and positive impact of Queen’s is well recognised, resulting in the university being poised for considerable success and growth over the next decade, thanks to its important global partnerships and connections.

Significantly, £71 million was generated from research commercialisation, placing the Belfast university among the top five UK universities for revenue generated in this capacity.

Through QUBIS Ltd - the university’s commercial arm - over 70 spin-out companies have been created, resulting in some 1,880 knowledge-based private sector jobs. Three of these companies - Kainos, Andor Technology and Fusion Antibodies - have been publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Participation in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) has also been hugely successful and since 1993, support has been provided to 350 businesses throughout Northern Ireland, helping them to generate an increase in annual profits in the region of £118m.

A world-class education at Queen's Univeristy prepares students for leadership and citizenship in a global society, with students educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and delivering an engaging and dynamic curriculum.

Queen’s is also committed to ensuring that those who have the ability to have such an education should have an opportunity to do so, regardless of background, abilities or beliefs – 32 per cent of full-time, first degree entrants are from the lower socio-economic groups (SEC 4-7), exceeding the university's benchmark of 26 per cent.

:: The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards take place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 14. Entries must be submitted by noon tomorrow (Friday) and the short-listed companies will be revealed in the Irish News on Thursday May 17.

:: More details at www.wea.irishnews.com and follow us on Twitter @IrishNewsWEA