Chancellor of the Exchequer’s visit highlights Durham’s strengths in research and industrial partnerships

Chancellor of the Exchequer's visit highlights Durham's strengths in research and industrial partnerships. May 2017) Durham University's contribution to the UK economy and links with industry have been highlighted by a visit from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Philip Hammond met with staff and students at the University which each year contributes more than £1billion to the UK's economy , including £650m in the North East of England, and which supports more than 10,000 jobs. Among the topics discussed during his visit was Durham's work in connecting research with industry which has seen the University launch many spin-out companies since 1997 including Kromek , P2i and Ikon Science , creating over 1,000 jobs. The Chancellor also learned more about the University's outreach work with local schools to encourage pupils to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, working with over 10,000 North-East schoolchildren every year. The visit was rounded-off by a tour of the University's new £11.5m Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics , designed by the internationally renowned Studio Libeskind, which opened earlier this year, demonstrating Durham's position as a world-leading research centre in astronomy and cosmology. Bringing maths, science and engineering to life During his visit the Chancellor discussed the important role universities like Durham can play in developing the regional economy, a key part of the government's Industrial Strategy.