Entrepreneurial students put Bangor University in a top spot
More Bangor University students began their own businesses than at any other university in Wales according to a new survey.
The study of 404,182 students at eight Welsh universities analysed the number of graduates who started their own business, moved into senior positions to run established businesses, or became freelancers. It also placed Bangor University second highest in Wales for all these categories, with just under one in ten (9.13%) graduates choosing to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test.
Bangor University has always prided itself in the quality of its teaching and student experience.
This latest result is yet another facet of the excellent student experience, knowledge and skills development available at the University.
Prof Iwan Davies, the University’s Vice-Chancellor commented:
“Entrepreneurship is a vital element of the Welsh economy, when you consider that 95% of the Welsh economy is made up of micro enterprises of nine or fewer individuals. So developing a stream of future entrepreneurs who can bring new skills and services to the markets is essential for our economy. That is why we place such emphasis on encouraging and supporting an entrepreneurial spirit among our students.
We provide support and advice, and opportunities to test the market through competitions, marketplaces and modules within our teaching, so that our students have the skills to both recognize and develop their entrepreneurial skills and take those all-important first steps into business.”
Recent news that the University became the first in Wales to partner with IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) to support students who are either freelance or considering going into self-employment is also good news for the students identified in the study who are budding freelancers.
Lowri Owen Enterprise Projects Manager at Bangor University’s Skills and Employability Service said:
“Supporting the employability of our students is a key strategy at Bangor University and this includes helping those who want to start their own businesses or be self-employed.”
Publication date: 24 March 2020