She was accompanied on the visit, which took place on Monday, 23 February, by Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. It provided an opportunity to discuss the growing number of economic initiatives taking shape across North Wales and how the University can play a leading role in supporting them.
In recent years, the region has seen increasing momentum around major government-backed schemes, including the Anglesey Freeport and the North Wales AI Growth Zone. Coupled with announcements of the new first of a kind, small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) they bring significant opportunity to the North Wales economy. These opportunities will stimulate long-term economic development through job creation, private investment and improvements in regional productivity.
During the meeting, colleagues outlined the vision and the leadership the University offers across these opportunities and how they align with our wider ambitions for research, innovation and skills. Focussing in on the nuclear opportunity, the University team presented a vision which could position Bangor University and North Wales as a global focal point for skills, regulation and research agenda for nuclear for a generation. This includes strengthening partnerships with industry, supporting local innovation infrastructure, and ensuring that developments in areas such as clean energy, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing deliver benefits for students, staff and the wider community.
Reflecting on the visit, Professor Paul Spencer, Pro-Vice- Chancellor – Research, said, “These initiatives are helping to position North Wales as a region with real potential in key sectors of the future. Engaging with them enables us to demonstrate the value of our research and expertise while ensuring that developments on the ground translate into meaningful academic and economic benefit. The University will continue to work closely with governments, industry and regional partners to support these programmes as they progress.”