Canterbury Christ Church University has officially launched its Civic University Agreement – Our Pledges with key partners to define how it will strengthen, celebrate and support Kent and Medway in the next five years.

Through developing Our Pledges, the University will work to improve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural vitality of its local communities.

The three priority areas for the University are Our People, Our Place, Our Partners:

  • Supporting our local communities and the people living, working and studying here
  • Celebrating and promoting the diverse place we live in and share
  • Developing strong partnerships to deliver Our Pledges

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL said: “As an institution with strong ties and partnerships with the communities that we serve, we are delighted to present Our Pledges to Kent and Medway, to reaffirm our role and clearly communicate how we plan to respond to the challenges that our local communities face.

“We will continue to work with our partners and work effectively to address regional needs, and identify how we can further support and contribute to collaborative solutions, as a positive force for change.”

The University’s civic and community-engaged work already reaches into wide-ranging areas of society such as health and wellbeing, arts and culture, STEM, education, learning teaching, business, enterprise and engagement, sustainability, volunteering and outreach with schools, and public engagement.

CCCU's Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Thirunamachandran standing on a balcony with with key partners
Key partners at the Our Pledges launch with Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran.

Abbie Kempe Director of Enterprise and Engagement added: “We are immensely proud of the strong, diverse connections we have with our community and industry. These pledges highlight our commitment to being open, accessible, and responsive to Our People, Our Place, and Our Partners as we work together to build a brighter, more sustainable future.”

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury Councillor Jean Butcher and Lady Mayoress Di Baldock attended the Civic University Agreement launch alongside more than 10 organisations. Those included Kent County Council, Social Enterprise Kent, Canterbury City Council, Medway Council, Canterbury Cathedral, Discovery Park, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, and East Kent Chambers of Commerce, came together at the Canterbury Campus, to hear how the University will drive sustainable social and economic change in Kent and Medway.

Jane Kennedy, Chief Business Officer at Discovery Park, explained the importance of partnership working.

Discovery Park is proud to stand alongside Canterbury Christ Church University as partners committed to creating lasting opportunities and delivering transformative change across the Kent and Medway region. Through collaboration and a shared vision, we are unlocking the full potential of this vibrant, diverse area, with a particular focus on advancing STEM fields. The University’s pledges align with our mission to drive innovation, create high value jobs, and support sustainable growth. We look forward to continuing this vital work through our shared initiatives, including CoLab and the Industry Liaison Lab, which are fostering cutting-edge scientific research and development. Together, we are improving the economic, social, and cultural well-being of our communities for generations to come.
Jane KennedyChief Business Officer at Discovery Park

Speaking at the launch event, Tudor Price, CEO of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the importance of the University’s connection to local business. “The most significant piece of work the University is doing compared to many others is around accessibility to the business community,” he said.

“It is very easy for businesses of all sizes to be able to access the talent pool and the knowledge base at the University in ever growing sectors, to ensure accessibility continues to expand.”

David Foley Chief Executive of East Kent Chambers of Commerce said: “Canterbury Christ Church University has been a beacon of enlightenment in promoting sustainable growth and cooperation with companies in east Kent. We’ve been delighted to work together so that businesses can see firsthand the wonderful work the University does in improving skills which benefits us all in east Kent.”

Over the next five years, the University will commit to:

  • Making a transformative and measurable impact on the region
  • Proactively tackling many challenges the next five years will bring
  • Forging a brighter, more prosperous and sustainable future for all

Find out more about Our Pledges – Our People, Our Place, Our Partners.

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