Links to Academia

NETPark is where world class science and technology companies and individuals come together. The universities of Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside are all important stakeholders at NETPark.

All of the regions Universities are within 30 minutes drive of NETPark and all are represented on the NETPark Advisory Group at Vice-Chancellor level. The Universities can provide you with access to talent, research skills, consultancy services, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) services and analytical services and facilities.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) which manages the PETEC, the national centre for printable electronics and the UK’s first Technology Innovation Centre, has pulled together national academic expertise from universities such as Durham, Imperial College and Hertfordshire.

Durham University has many world-class Research Institutes including:

• The Photonics Materials Institute
• The Centre for Renewable Energy
• The Biophyscial Research Institute
• The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (based at NETPark)

The University fared extremely well in the RAE results 2008, scoring highly in areas such as Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. Durham University forms part of the NETPark Business Innovation Gateway (www.bignetpark.com)

Newcastle University is home to world class research institutes such as:

• The Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology
• The Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research

The University is part of the elite Russell Group and has world class recognition in areas such as biological science, mechanical engineering and computer sciences and this was reflected in the RAE results 2008.

With strengths in computing, engineering, information science and design, Northumbria’s research groups include:

• The Energy Systems and Advanced Materials Group,
• The Photovoltaics Applications Centre
• Manufacture and Design Group.

In the 2008 RAE results, the University displayed strengths in general engineering and information sciences.

In October 2009, Teesside was awarded University of the Year and Outstanding Employer Engagement accolades from the Times Higher Education.  The University is home to:

• The Technology Future Institute
• Digital Future Institute

In the 2008 RAE results the University fared extremely well in areas such as computer sciences, general engineering and business and management.

Sunderland University has research strengths in design, media and new media and is home to:

• The Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice
• The Biological Sciences Research Group
• The Centre for Adaptive Systems
• The Hybrid Intelligent Systems Group

In the 2008 RAE results, the University was recognised as having strengths in communication, culture and new media.

NETPark provides easy access to each of the 5 regional Universities and can assist your company in establishing relationships with each of the academic institutions listed above.

To find out how the NETPark business support team could assist you in accessing talent, research and specialist equipment from the North East Universities, please call +44 (01740) 625 180 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it