THE University of Greenwich at Medway is continuing its bid to boost the regional economy with the launch of a host of new degrees combining entrepreneurship with key academic subjects.

From September, students will be able to combine entrepreneurship studies with a range of major subjects including chemistry, computer networking, environmental science, geographical information systems, geography, geology, life science and sports science.

The introduction of entrepreneurship as part of joint degree programme has been welcomed by Linda MacLeod, enterprise development director for Business Link Kent.

She said: “Building and sustaining an entrepreneurial and enterprising culture is essential for the future economic success not only of Kent and the wider South East but of the UK as a whole.

“Initiatives such as this at the University of Greenwich at Medway are at the forefront of ways education and business work together to mutual benefit, with courses which prepare students in a rounded way for the challenging and highly competitive marketplace they will enter when they graduate.”

Individual entrepreneurs are the dynamos that drive small business success generating 52 per cent of private sector turnover in the UK and employment for 12.6m people.

Dr Kanes Rajah, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: “Studying entrepreneurship enables [students] to relate their academic discipline to the world of work, whether in the public or private sector or their own business start-up.

“We have entrepreneurs, banks and others who know what it is all about working alongside us in the delivery of these programmes.”

Professor Alan Reed, university director of regional liaison, Kent and Medway, said: ”Given that entrepreneurship is a key driver of the UK economy, the university is proud to be at the forefront in providing graduates skills in this area which will enable them to operate at the leading edge in the world of business.”