The University of Salford and Salford City Council have signed a formal agreement setting out how they will work together to improve life, opportunities and services for people across the city.
The two organisations entered into a historic Civic University agreement to underline their close working relationship, with the University set to be involved with council projects for decades to come.
Salford University is working closely with the council on its bid for the city to be named one of the UNESCO Creative Cities of Media and will be developed as part of the £2.5 billion Crescent Salford Masterplan project.
City Mayor Paul Dennett and University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech attended a signing ceremony in Salford on Tuesday to formalise the contract, along with other senior stakeholders.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said that even though the University and Salford City Council have worked in close partnership for years, this centenary year is the perfect moment to restate their shared ambitions:
“This Civic University Agreement formally recognises the strong and beneficial relationship between the University and the Council, bound by a shared commitment to this City and to the people who call it home. We work best when we work together, in pursuit of prosperity, wellbeing, opportunity, and long-term growth for the benefit of Salford and its communities.
“Working to make Salford a Child Friendly City is a priority for both the Council and the University. It’s our commitment to creating a great place for children and young people to grow up and feel safe, cared for, heard and have quality opportunities to learn, work and play.”
He explained that both organisations are committed to making decisions which “consider the wider benefit to a community” instead of focusing solely on “financial benefit.”
Mayor Dennett added: “Ultimately, this agreement is about futures realised, for students, families, workers, and for every resident who wants to see Salford thrive. It’s a very exciting time for this City, and I look forward to the future we’re building together.”
The key goals of singing the agreement include boosting culture and creativity in Salford, building a Child Friendly City, delivering economic growth and skills, supporting socially engaged research and innovation and enhancing social value and buying policies to benefit local suppliers and people where possible.
Professor Nic Beech said: “If you consider that we have over 26,000 students currently studying at Salford, and we employ over 2,800 full time equivalent colleagues, it is obvious that we have a major role to play in our community.
“We are already deeply involved in positive community programmes for the benefit of Salford, but this new Civic Agreement will help us revisit and refresh our joint aspirations with the Council, making sure we harness the potential for even more exciting collaborations in future.”
