Vice-Chancellor's Testimonial
Southampton Solent University is focused on enhancing the intellect and employability of those who learn with us. Our graduates already enjoy a high employment rate, and we aim to ensure all students gain work experience during their time here, to give them that ‘real-world’ edge. Many go on to work with local employers. Some will work in a self-employed capacity and set up their own businesses. This is particularly the case in sectors like the creative industries, from which we have the highest number of graduates of any UK university, outside London.
As Vice-Chancellor, I encourage our staff to help students pursue their dreams, develop their skills and consider a wide range of employment after their studies. We are also keen to play our part in the economic development of the region, particularly if graduates can remain in the Southampton area and start their own business.
I sense a real enterprise culture emerging at this University. As you click through the pages of this website you will see the evidence for that. You will view a range of special enterprise events and competitions that we offer to all our students. There are exceptional opportunities here in terms of enterprise education, and you can find examples of projects and initiatives that reflect the innovative spirit at the heart of this University.
One excellent example is the Solent Students Entrepreneurs programme. This gives students mentoring, training and financial support to actively start a business while they are still studying. Our students have an opportunity to take managed risks, with expert support available, and really get to grips with the challenges and practicalities of creating a successful business. Commendably, 40% of the businesses started up in the 2006-8 SPEED programme are still trading, a strikingly good success rate.
I look forward with confidence, therefore, to hearing about the further successes of our alumni as we promote and expand the programme in the coming year.
Professor Van Gore