Over the past year, the University has continued to strengthen its collaborations and partnerships with education, industry, and local and national government in order to support the diverse needs of students, staff and the local and regional economy.

As a result of work by the University, high technology and engineering businesses across Yorkshire and Humber can now access more than £2 million funding, via a major new partnership drawn together by the University. Partners including Bradford and District Business Link, Bradford Council, Bradford College, Yorkshire and Humberside Universities' Association, the Confederation of British Wool and Textiles Companies, the regional Innovation Strategy Boards for Multimedia and Electronics, and Bradford Training and Enterprise Council.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the worlds of multimedia, textiles, clothing, engineering and manufacturing benefited from the cash, which was used to increase competitiveness and create more than 100 new jobs in SMEs, establishing new companies and creating new products.

Areas targeted included manufacturing and industrial-design networks, which brought together industrialists and academics, multimedia projects and textile and clothing initiatives. The funding, drawn from the European Regional Development Fund and the private sector, helped to provide consultancy, use of University equipment and research and development work.

The University was also a leading player in establishing the Yorkshire and Humberside Universities' Association - a 10-strong group that has been working to underpin the areas which the new grant will target.

Alongside this, the University has developed closer collaborative ties with Bradford College. In addition to the academic partnerships already in existence, including the validation of degree courses and the development of joint academic programmes, the two institutions made a successful joint bid to HEFCE to investigate the potential for closer links in all areas of activity including academic provision, support services and infrastructure.

One of the key objectives of the project was to increase the numbers of individuals and organisations engaging in learning, by widening the range of courses offered and by improving the quality of the learning experience through more efficient and effective use of teaching and learning resources and cost-effective support services. In line with the Government's initiatives to widen participation, the project also focused on raising the learning and skills base of the area and ultimately its competitiveness.

The University also engaged in productive talks with a number of Universities including Hull, Salford, Keele and Lancaster about opportunities for joint working. Work also began in forging closer links with Leeds Metropolitan University, including work on the Government's Foundation Degree initiative, which also includes Huddersfield University as partners.

The University has made clear that, in order to continue its success, it will need to grow, including increasing recruitment levels, research and other income generation, and through continued strategic alliances with other institutions and organisations. The University's core purpose is the creation, development and application of knowledge. The partnerships and collaborations above highlight the ongoing progress being made in this field and provide a blueprint for the way ahead.