Olympic and paralympic Games: THE IMPACT OF ... - Universities UK

universities andLONDON 2012 research:Higher education isengaged and reapingthe benefitsMore than 90% of the UK’s higher education institutions are engaged with the London 2012Olympic and Paralympic Games and nearly two thirds believe they will experience a tangiblelegacy benefit from the Games.These are just two of the findings from a recent survey conductedon behalf of Podium, the Further and Higher Education Unit forthe 2012 Games by the Centre for Sport, Physical Education &Activity Research (SPEAR) at Canterbury Christ Church University.More than 200 people from 80 different higher educationinstitutions across the UK took part in the survey, which askedabout their engagement with the Games. This sample represents48% of the UK higher education sector and is the biggest everstudy of its kind.The precise figures are that 85% of higher education institutionsare currently involved in London 2012-related activity, and afurther 9% plan to be involved in the run-up to the Games.Consequently, 94% of higher education institutions (equivalentto 155 institutions) across the UK are, or plan to be, involved inGames-related projects.The most popular type of project is volunteering, with 39% ofinstitutions involved, closely followed by sports-focused activities,in which 36% are engaged.Encouragingly, 65% of the respondents expect that theirinvolvement with the Games will deliver a legacy benefit for theirinstitution, specifically one of lasting partnerships. The main newpartners to have been gained through Games-related activity arelocal authorities, fellow higher education institutions, the LondonOrganising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, andschools.14 SECTION two : universities and LONDON 2012 RESEARCH