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EU regeneration Commissioner Hübner tours Knowledge Dock Centre at UEL

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Professor Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, visited the University of East London (UEL) Docklands campus on Tuesday 29 January to witness how European investment has catalyzed the regeneration of east London and the Thames Gateway. 

Professor Hübner’s visit was part of a two-day tour organised by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to highlight how regeneration of the region has extended beyond physical development to include upgrading of the regional skill base and expanding provision of economic and social opportunities for communities.

At UEL, Professor Hübner visited the Knowledge Dock Centre, opened in May 2006 with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the London Development Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Knowledge Dock, UEL’s enterprise development service, is the driving force behind the University of East London’s vision to encourage enterprise and innovation and act as a catalyst for social, cultural and economic renewal in east London and the Thames Gateway.

Carole Snee, Director of External and Strategic Development Services at UEL, said: “Professor Hübner and her accompanying delegation were very impressed by the work being done by Knowledge Dock and UEL in terms of truly engaging with the European Regional agenda.

“Universities often build science parks and research facilities, but Professor Hübner was particularly impressed with our uniquely active engagement with both the local economy and regional development."

Knowledge Dock offers a wide range of facilities, training, consultancy, and funded programmes, and now works with over 1,000 companies and entrepreneurs across east London and the Thames Gateway.

The Knowledge Dock Centre houses 46 business incubator units and the HotHatch Business Generator, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with access to a business address, shared office facilities, and invaluable support and advice.

During her visit, Professor Hübner spoke to a range of entrepreneurs based in the centre, including Michael Worgs, a graduate from UEL’s BSc (Hons) degree in Computing who now acts as Managing Director of his own rapidly expanding company, Computer Technicians Ltd.

Michael said: “Studying at UEL gave me the confidence to go on and pursue my ambitions. When I first had the idea for this business, the Knowledge Dock team were extremely supportive and helpful. They guided me through the early stages and my company was born in the HotHatch. I’m now based in one of the Knowledge Dock Centre's business units and things are going really well - I'm already employing well over a hundred staff!”

Professor Hübner, Poland's first-ever European Commissioner, is one of her country's foremost economists and policymakers and has played a key role in the enlargement of the EU.

As part of her visit, Professor Hübner signed new aid programmes channelling nearly £100 million of EU funding into the South-East and East of England. The new five-year spending programmes will create an estimated 4,600 jobs in eastern England, and support 1,200 businesses in the South East.

For further information about the wide range of facilities, training, consultancy, and funded programmes provided at UEL’s Knowledge Dock Centre, visit www.knowledgedock.com.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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