Professor Simon Lee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Met, and David
Butterworth, Chief Executive of the YDNPA

LEEDS Metropolitan University and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) have formed a long-term partnership to share learning and research opportunities.

Professor Simon Lee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Met, and David Butterworth, Chief Executive of the YDNPA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines joint initiatives in sustainable tourism, sport, management training and housing as well as ways of creating projects, student placements and volunteering opportunities.

Professor Anne Gregory, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Leeds Met, said, “The Yorkshire Dales are the very essence of Yorkshire. They summarise the history, culture, geography and industry of our area.

“The scenery is iconic and the towns and settlements of the Dales epitomise everything there is to say about the county: independence, hard work, creativity, resilience and character. The University is delighted to be a partner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

“Together we will be working to provide new opportunities for the Dales communities ensuring that Higher Education is available to all who can benefit from it. Immediate priorities will be to work with the Authority on sustainable tourism and enterprise.”

David Butterworth said: “There are lots of benefits in this partnership, both for the National Park Authority and for the University. It means that the Authority will have a new resource it can call on in terms of expertise, information and, of course willing pairs of hands, while the University will be able to offer its students, staff and researchers the chance to gain practical, hands-on experience in new areas of activity.”