Business

Queen’s continues to support future-ready workforce

Alistair Stewart (right), head of public engagement at Queen’s University Belfast, pictured at the launch of the Workplace & Employment Awards with Irish News editor Noel Doran. Picture: Hugh Russell
Alistair Stewart (right), head of public engagement at Queen’s University Belfast, pictured at the launch of the Workplace & Employment Awards with Irish News editor Noel Doran. Picture: Hugh Russell

QUEEN’S University Belfast is proud to sponsor the 2023 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, which provide an ideal platform for organisations and companies to profile their successes and progress, and shine a light on the incredible level of talent and achievements of businesses – and their people - across the region.

The role of a university goes far beyond education and skills. At Queen’s we have a key influence on the economy, through our research and innovation, which drives economic growth, creating new and better jobs. Our work shapes lives across the world and on our doorstep.

A recent report by economics and policy consultancy London Economics has shown that Queen’s makes an estimated annual impact of over £3 billion from activity relating to areas such as research and knowledge exchange, teaching and learning, impact of exports, and expenditure. This means that for every £1 invested, Queen's generates £8.20 within the UK economy.

The report also shows that Queen’s supported 4,500 full-time education jobs across the UK economy last year, with 77 per cent of these being based in Northern Ireland.

This level of economic impact paints a picture of a university which is reaching out; informing and engaging; and improving lives, regionally, nationally and globally.

Queen’s is a lead partner in the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), with a vision to create tangible impact where it truly matters and drive progress for generations to come through the delivery of three innovation centres in advanced manufacturing, clinical research and secure, connected digital technologies.

These projects represent unprecedented opportunities to bring long-lasting benefits to our society, economy and much further afield, and demonstrate our commitment to civic leadership and driving inclusive growth and impact in Northern Ireland.

Ranked 15th in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023), we are proud to count so many successful young businesspeople in Northern Ireland and across the world as Queen’s alumni.

Our approach to education isn’t solely about unlocking our students’ academic potential – it’s also about making sure that they are equipped with the employability, innovation and enterprise skills they need and that future employers want. This is why Queen’s is one of the top universities in the UK for spin-outs and knowledge transfer partnerships.

Queen’s Management School is an internationally accredited business and management school, not only providing students with a top-quality education, but also presenting local and global networking and career opportunities.

Its mission to transform Northern Ireland’s business and society through our education and research is fundamental to future stability and prosperity. Through our executive education programmes at The William J Clinton Leadership Institute, we are also shaping our leaders in the business community, providing them with the skillset they need to lead with impact on a local and global scale.

Our Students’ Union Enterprise team offer incredible support to our young entrepreneurs, helping them to develop the right skills to progress their ideas into viable business ventures. The team also link students to the external business environment giving them a head start and access to real opportunities.

As a University in the top 200 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023), we are committed to strengthening relationships between industry and the education sector, and will continue to provide our students with the employability, innovation and enterprise skills they need to be the leaders of the future.

:: Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas is pro-vice-chancellor for the faculty of arts, humanities and social sciences and professor of innovation management and policy at Queen’s University Belfast.