Mayor's View: Graduations another sign of a better future for our city

I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony at ARU Peterborough last week, and it again showed how important this new university is for our city, writes Combined Authority Mayor Paul Bristow.  

Before it opened in 2022, there was a clear lack of higher education opportunity, which was holding back young people. When the university opened, around half of applicants came from local PE postcodes, which showed the demand.  

Now we are seeing students graduating from a variety of courses that will open doors for their future, while also supporting businesses with new talent. And I can be confident about that fact because ARU Peterborough was set up with jobs in the regional economy in mind.  

Employers in the area have worked directly with the university to develop the curriculum, helping ensure that graduates are coming out with the skills they need. In these times, with a tough jobs market for young people - including graduates - that link is vital. 

A student story that stood out to me was Biomedical Sciences graduate Lamin Dibba, who has now been accepted for the NHS Cardiac Science postgraduate programme, with the hope to become a consultant cardiac scientist in the future. When I think about the life sciences growth that our region will experience over the next 30 years, it’s important that more students like Lamin have the skills they need to be a part of that growth, giving more jobs to local talent. That’s what ARU Peterborough will help to achieve. 

The students securing their degrees tells a story of how investment like this can have a positive impact on the regeneration of the city.  

The university began as unique partnership between the Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University, and is a key part of the plans to reinvigorate Peterborough for future generations. As Peterborough’s MP, I did my bit by fighting hard for Government funding to drive it forward. 

The students who walked across the stage at Peterborough Cathedral, with an array of undergraduate, postgraduate and degree apprenticeships under their belts, are well set with the confidence and skills they need to enter the job world.  

And seeing the students in gowns is a reminder that previous generations didn’t have enough opportunity locally to do the same. Our work with ARU and the City Council has broken that cycle.  

 I’m proud of what these students have achieved, but also what the University has done for the community. Regeneration is vital for economic growth, and the success of ARU Peterborough is a great example of how beneficial it can be, when it’s done well, and is why I want to push that further in the city.  

• I was at the Peterborough Fan Zone again on Saturday night for another heart-stopping England win over Norway. The atmosphere was as incredible as Jude Bellingham’s performance and it was great to see so many in Peterborough out to back the boys. England face Argentina on Wednesday night, after the Telegraph goes to press, but I hope we’ll be celebrating another momentous night.