The University of Bradford and the BBC are to work together to open up pathways into employment in the media industry and to develop new talent within the region. The University has signed a partnership agreement with the BBC, ahead of the Corporation's move to Salford in 2011.
The BBC is creating a modern, multimedia broadcast and production centre in the North of England as part of moves to better reflect and represent the whole of the UK.
The new centre at MediaCityUK in Salford will be home to around 2,400 BBC staff. Five key London-based departments, including two TV channels and two radio stations, will be making their new homes in Salford: BBC Children's (including CBBC and CBeebies); BBC Formal Learning; BBC Future Media and Technology; BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra) and BBC Sport.
The partnership between the University of Bradford and the BBC will help to identify new talent, focus on learning and development, build relationships within communities and develop clear pathways into the BBC and the wider industry.
The BBC are particularly pleased to be working with Ian Palmer in the School of Informatics on a range of projects, including live project briefs, student placements and opportunities to showcase student projects.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for students to interact with the BBC and work on real projects. It will give a real insight into today's media industry and a chance to help shape tomorrow's. It will also allow the students to show how creative they are and hopefully lead to further collaborations."
"We are delighted to have signed a partnership agreement with the University of Bradford . The new centre in Salford will be a test bed for how we want the whole of the BBC to work in the 21st Century. A BBC that is not just owned by the whole of the United Kingdom but which is more open and accessible, working in partnership with local communities and educational institutions to showcase the talent and creativity of people everywhere."
In Salford, by working with the local community and with the developers of MediaCityUK, the BBC hopes to create a new powerhouse of media production and innovation for the North of England. The BBC's presence should act as a catalyst for change and regeneration, encourage other creative industries to develop and create new opportunities for talented individuals across the North.
