Published on 23 January 2020
Students and staff have welcomed Chris Skidmore, the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
The MP visited the University of Sunderland where he met with Vice Chancellor, Sir David Bell, before receiving a tour of facilities at Helen McArdle House where he got the opportunity to chat with students and staff.
Sir David said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to the University on Friday.
“He was very impressed with the students he met and commented in a highly favourable way about the outstanding facilities we have in Helen McArdle House.
“We were also able to share some of our exciting plans for the future which the Minister was very pleased to hear.”
Throughout this week the Minister has been setting out his vision for how to level up research and development so that it benefits every corner of the UK.
He said: “This month, I will have had the opportunity already to visit Airbus in Bristol, ODI Leeds, and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield, as well as the universities of Bolton, Manchester, Newcastle, York, Teesside, Sunderland and Northumbria.
“Next week I’ll be visiting the universities of Leicester, Northampton and Nottingham.
“Ever since I was first appointed as Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, I’ve been determined to champion the excellent work on research and innovation taking place around the country, both by universities and industry.
“Our future lies in those cutting-edge ideas, advanced technologies and rewarding new jobs that will power our economy and transform our society.”
“But this isn’t just about the money, or how it is spent. Where we choose to invest is of equal, critical importance. The Prime Minister has declared that this is a ‘One Nation’ government, committed to ‘levelling up’, so that every corner of the UK can benefit from its determination to share our future prosperity."