UEL was one of only three UK universities – along with Oxford and Cambridge - selected by the Danish government for the study visit. During the two days they were in Britain, the delegates also held meetings with counterparts at the Department of Trade and Industry. 

The aim of the visit was to see how universities and business work together to promote innovation and economic development, and delegates were particularly interested in the work of the Knowledge Dock at UEL, which helps local businesses access new technology and expertise.

Welcoming the delegation, Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London spoke warmly of his personal experience of developing a new software business in Denmark, his links with the Copenhagen Business School as a member of the government’s Foresight Initiative.

Professor Thorne said: “The Thames Gateway is potentially the largest regeneration project in Western Europe and we are working with our partners to develop skills, particularly in the creative industries, and attract industry and new jobs into the region, as well as starting up new businesses. We are passionately committed to boosting the business birth rate, and with the Knowledge Dock we have a new and effective tool to promote innovation and enterprise.”

The delegation met with Knowledge Dock staff and toured some of the new business support and service centres, including the Fabric Print & Design Bureau (FabPad), the Product Design Lab, the SIMLAB (simulation and modelling software laboratory) and business incubator facilities, which are being developed on campus with support from the London Development Agency, the UK government and the European Union.

The delegates were impressed that many of these projects are now becoming self-sustaining and said that that this is a model that they would like to encourage in Denmark.

Knowledge Dock works with more than 700 companies across the Thames Gateway region. It delivers a range of funded programmes that enable students and academics to work in partnership with business on development projects over timescales ranging from 8-12 weeks through the Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) and Enterprise Bureau, to 1-3 years via the DTI-supported flagship Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975