Background
Enterprise and innovation are increasingly being acknowledged by governments as the driving force behind innovative change and job creation. In this deregulated and competitive world the small business can now compete on a level playing field with large corporations.
It used to be ‘the big eat the small but now it is the fast assassinate the slow.’
"Let us face some uncomfortable truths; when so much of growth comes from innovation too few of our young people with scientific, technological or engineering talents have had the chance to make the most of their potential through study, research training and the chance to turn ideas into products - so it is time to remove the barriers to British science, technology and engineering leading the world again."
Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2002 (Mansion House Speech)
This demand is impacting on higher education and government is encouraging the introduction of enterprise into the curriculum. Students are calling for the opportunity to test and develop their entrepreneurial skills and industry is looking for an element of entrepreneurial creativity in its top class graduate recruits.
The role of MSEC
Launched in 2000 with funding from the Government’s Science Enterprise Challenge Fund, Manchester Science Enterprise Centre (MSEC) is based within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Manchester but delivers its programmes throughout the entire campus.
MSEC has a key role to play as part of the University’s vision ‘to be an innovative institution that values and encourages the transfer of knowledge and technology to influence and advance economic development regionally, nationally and internationally’.
Enterprise is on the curriculum and enterprise degree programmes and units are available from first year undergraduate to doctoral, as well as training programmes and workshops.
Students are given the support to help make their own ideas a reality and those ideas that have real business potential can enter the business creation facilities available to become new companies creating wealth for the region. Our business creation activities have successfully launched over 30 new companies in the last five years.