Partnership working and being part of the community is a major part of the University of Bolton’s success story.

Today, the university’s links to Bolton Council have never been better, and it has partnerships around the world delivering University of Bolton courses.

In 2008, the university opened its first international campus in the United Arab Emirates with the Western International Colleges, and partnerships are now established from Zambia to Germany.

Closer to home, the university has partner education providers across the country and is now developing aspects of its Bolton campus through partnership.

The Octagon Theatre is a long-established university partner, working with the university’s School of the Arts; the Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering works with professional race team RLR Msport and new courses allied to dentistry are being developed with Ravat & Ray Dental Care, which now has a practice based in Bolton One.

This September work begins on building an on-campus University Technical College (UTC) for 14 to 19 year olds, focusing on technically based academic studies led by the university, in partnership with employers.

When the university received its title back in 2005, Bolton’s communities were at the heart of the celebrations. Five organisations — The Octagon Theatre, Reebok, Bolton Wanderers, Bolton Lads and Girls Club and The Office of the Mayor — representing the town’s communities, were honoured.

Bringing young people into university, aiming to widen participation in higher education, has seen national programmes such as Aimhigher and the more local I Can Make It Happen, bring a taste of university life to thousands of children.

The university has won awards for its community programmes, such as those developed to tackle bullying in schools, and praise for its leading role in hosting events such as the healthy lifestyle-focused Health Mela and the Science Festival.