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Driving Growth through the Knowledge Economy
The Knowledge Gateway has established a particularly strong
reputation in the creative industries sector complementing
the Creative Business Centre in the town. The Games Hub,
set up by the University in partnership with development
studio Shark Infested Custard, offers a 10-month free
programme that encourages teams to develop a game, create
a business plan and pitch it to investors and publishers.
Development of the Knowledge Gateway comes at a time of
major investment in the overall facilities at the University.
Student accommodation has been increased with the opening
of University Quays which offers 760 study bedrooms, while
the RIBA award-winning £26m Silberrad Student Centre
opened in 2015 to provide student services and study areas.
This is in addition to extensive existing facilities such as the
Lakeside Theatre, Art Exchange Gallery and the four-star
Wivenhoe House Hotel and Brasserie which has 46 rooms and
conference facilities. There is also access to the 200 acres
(81ha) of Wivenhoe Park, an historic parkland once painted by
John Constable.
Bryn Morris comments: “There is a mutuality of benefit
between the University and the town. It is absolutely in our
interests to see Colchester develop as an attractive place with
a vibrant cultural life where students will want to study.”
Profile of the University of Essex
u
Is investing £250m between 2010-2020 in improving
the student experience and capitalising on
business opportunities from the university
u
Contributes £404m to the East of England economy
u
Is in the top 2% of the world’s universities
u
Supplies 4,000 work ready graduates each year
u
Is 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction
u
Has an ambition to grow student numbers by 50%
from 10,000 students to 15,000 by 2019
u
It provides 1,870 direct jobs and a further 2,693
indirectly.
u
Is one of the most international universities in the
country; 130 countries represented providing a real
meshing of expertise
Interior of the University of Essex’s £21m
Business School showcasing the ambition to
create ethical economies around the world.
© University of Essex