Secretary of state opens UCLan's social spaces

Developed with the Students’ Union, and as a direct result of student feedback, a single storey ground floor extension has been added to the existing Foster Building, while a new facility has been built which links Harrington and Greenbank buildings.

Dr Fox said: “These spaces will be extremely valuable to staff and to students, there’s a lot more to education than what you learn here and the space in which you learn it is extremely important.

He added: “As secretary of state for international trade, our department is focussed on maximising the opportunities for British businesses to thrive and the University of Central Lancashire is already one of Preston’s largest employers which contributes £200m a year to the economy of the North West.

"Above all, the new Social Space will give students the space to study and thrive in their own way and leave the University to have one of the most advanced learning environments.”

The Great Ideas Hack is one of the initiatives the DIT is using to encourage aspiring exporters to develop their thinking and understanding about the importance of international trade and investment.

Pro-chancellor and chair of the University Board David Taylor said: “Given that the University is re-doubling its efforts to support the economic, social and cultural development of Preston and the wider Lancashire region, it is with great pride that we hosted this Board of Trade meeting. “We had a great story to tell about our contribution to skills development in areas such as engineering, health, business and the creative industries; disciplines which are critical to Lancashire’s prosperity. The day represented a superb opportunity for students with an entrepreneurial flare to learn from the country’s best business leaders and help influence the next wave of UK enterprises.”