Efficiency drive on campus saves millions.

Major efficiency drives by the UK's higher education institutions have contributed to savings of 1.38 bn between 2005 and 2011, with millions of pounds reinvested in the sector.

A 3.25m High Performance Computing facility shared across the universities of Newcastle, Durham, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster is giving scientists access to a larger and higher specification machine that would not be affordable for one institution.

TIPS ON PETS:Children in Coulby Newham and Redcar are benefiting from a new educational partnership that teaches them how to look after pets properly and identify any potential problems.

Veterinary nurses from White Cross Vets, which has practices at The Parkway Centre, Coulby Newham and West Dyke Road Retail Park in Redcar, are visiting schools, community groups, churches and local Beavers, Cubs and Brownies clubs to raise awareness of the importance of good pet care.

INSPIRING SPACE: Northumbria University has re-launched its events and conferencing service with a fresh new look at its award-winning campus.

The 'Inspirational Spaces' campaign was created to celebrate the amazing things that happen every day' on campus. The University is now inviting budding photographers to capture the best of the North-East with a chance of winning a 250 cash prize. For further details visit northumbria.ac.uk/inspirationalspaces. Closing date: June 14.

NATIONAL PLAUDITS: A Sunderland University graduate's academic experience has helped a North East meat supplier pick up a string of accolades for its improved business model and responsible processing techniques.

The work of Tony Wilson and Peterlee-based Kookaburra Ltd, which supplies cooked premium chilled and frozen chicken products to major UK food manufacturers, has been gaining regional and national plaudits, recently being shortlisted for a North East Business Awards and winning the Environmental Initiative of the Year Award from the Meat and Poultry Processing Trade Journal, to raising its profile in the Meat and Poultry Journal with a series of articles LIVE DRAMA: Longfield Academy of Sport in Darlington recently hosted two events to support students from Teesside University in their final year of a BA in performance.

James Carroll, Laura Finch and Elle Sayer, part of the theatre group EDG Eucation, performed a play called 'Clowning Around with Coco and Cola' to year five pupils from Northwood and Corporation Road schools. Coco and Cola demonstrated the steps they needed to take to make a successful transition from Clown Primary School to Clown Secondary School.