De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) today launches #DMUlocal, harnessing the skills of students and staff to play a critical role in the transformation of Leicester.
DMU has a proud track record of transforming lives and communities locally and around the world through its multi-award-winning Square Mile project.
Now the university is rapidly expanding the scope of its civic engagement by joining forces with Leicester City Council to launch #DMUlocal.
The partnership, thought to be one of the most extensive between a university and a local authority in the UK, aims to address some of the city’s most critical challenges in the areas of education, health and regeneration.
#DMUlocal is the embodiment of DMU’s commitment to the public good, and will be underpinned by programmes such as Square Mile, which will deliver against the university’s strategy to promote and improve the city of Leicester.
#DMUlocal will:
- Improve educational achievement by providing support for literacy, science, technology and mathematics subjects in Leicester’s schools
- Help in the rejuvenation of our city centre by encouraging graduates to remain in Leicester and establish start-up businesses
- Promote the health and wellbeing of our city and its communities
A week of activities to showcase the work of students and staff begins today and includes free health checks for members of the public, mentoring in schools, and a free research festival open to all. Drop-in shops in Highcross and at BBC Radio Leicester will provide opportunities for the public to find out more and participate in #DMUlocal events.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said: “Building on the success of DMU Square Mile, #DMUlocal will allow our students and staff to work in partnership with the city of Leicester on a much greater scale.
“A suite of new initiatives with local business, schools and community groups will bring tangible benefits to the city. We are proud of Leicester and are committed to collaborating with the city council to deliver constructive support and positive change.”
Leicester deputy city mayor Cllr Rory Palmer said: “We are always keen to work with local universities, and #DMUlocal offers communities across the city the chance to benefit from the university’s expertise and ideas.
“DMU’s determination to connect the university’s ideas and thinking to the wider Leicester community is innovative and exciting. #DMUlocal will offer some really interesting opportunities linking to some of the city council’s key priority areas of policy.”
By getting involved in #DMUlocal, students and staff will be able to play an even greater part in transforming people’s lives.
DMU has a proven ability to achieve positive change. Student mentors have already driven up literacy and numeracy rates in schools; staff and students have saved lives with health campaigns, and the university as a whole has helped make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the city.
Posted on Monday 9 November 2015