The University of Central Lancashire is going global – and is evolving every minute of every day. We are now one of the largest universities in the UK with a student and staff community of more than 35,000 students, 500 undergraduate courses and 180 postgraduate courses – and it’s not stopping there. UCLan was only created in 1992 but its roots go way back to 1828 and the humble beginnings of the founding of the ‘Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge’. From this small acorn, the university has propelled itself into becoming a major player, both at home and across the world. Around 70 percent of UCLan’s students come from the North West and the University is proving to be a vital heartbeat to the region’s booming regeneration. It employs 3,000 people, has a turnover of £120m a year and contributes £300m to the regional economy. The University is in the heart of the UK’s newest city, Preston, and is a key element in the shaping of this exciting city’s bright future. Overseas, UCLan has launched new programmes such as fire engineering with partners in Hong Kong, the Gulf and Russia. A spectacular show on the streets of Hong Kong marked the launch of the University’s new International Fashion Institute (IFI). During 2009 IFI will launch the UK’s first MBA in fashion to a worldwide market. The exciting initiative will enable IFI graduates to succeed in the workplace by combining creative flair with sound business acumen and expertise. Another new international initiative is the newly opened Confucius Institute which promotes and supports the development of Chinese language and culture throughout the North West region. In the latest Research Assessment Exercise the University submitted 17 subject areas for rigorous review and was rated as having produced research of international excellence in all of them. No fewer than 11 areas were assessed as containing research which is world-leading. UCLan has invested £60m on new campus developments – i