New partnership between Devon educational leaders will boost social mobility and aspiration
Joint working will boost school, college and higher education achievement and foster a culture of success
A new partnership between two of Devon’s leading educational institutions will help boost social mobility and aspiration in the county.
Joint working between the University of Exeter and Petroc will boost school, college and higher education achievement and foster a culture of success for young people in Devon.
The memorandum of understanding recognises the shared values between the two organisations and builds the foundation for new regional initiatives and partnerships.
Stuart Brocklehurst, University of Exeter Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Business Engagement and Innovation, said: “We are delighted to have signed this memorandum of understanding with Petroc. It will allow us to work together to promote social mobility and foster a culture of aspiration and success for young people in the county.”
Dr Jason Jones, Deputy Principal of Petroc, said: “By working together, we can create an education ecosystem that not only elevates educational outcomes but also drives innovation and economic growth in the South West. We are excited about the possibilities this MOU brings and look forward to working in collaboration with the University of Exeter and other universities in the South West, the UK and beyond.”
Peter Morrish, Chair of the Northern Devon Economy, Innovation and Skills Board, said: “Exeter University signing this partnership with Petroc College is a significant day for businesses in northern Devon. This collaboration will help ensure that the right mix of education is available across all levels and accessible to local people, bringing world-class capabilities into northern Devon and further enabling businesses to become more actively involved in research and development.”
Future plans include working together to improve the skilled workforce available to employers and driving inclusive and clean growth.
The University of Exeter and Petroc will work together to encourage wider participation in higher education and to identify skills gaps.
The organisations will collaborate to foster the success of the regional blue-green economy, initially focusing on the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, floating offshore wind and materials innovation.
The partnership will also bring about opportunities for the use of shared facilities to support research and facilitate academic networking, and work to develop and support modern practices in teaching and supporting learning including in the application of digital learning and AI.
