A report outlining universities' contribution to the region will be launched on Monday.

The Regional Mission report, covering Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and the Open Universities, will be distributed to employers, policy makers and economic planners at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland.

It is one of nine reports commissioned by Universities UK and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to provide a national picture of the value of universities.

The launch is being organised by Universities for the North-East, a group encouraging collaboration in higher education.

Its chairman Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, who is also vice-chancellor and warden of Durham University, said: "Our active participation in regional affairs has resulted in the universities being placed at the heart of the regional economy, as declared in the regional economic strategy produced by One NorthEast."

The report highlights how business development is encouraged through university-backed organisations, regional regeneration policies are informed by university research centres, universities raise the region's skills level by supplying graduates and providing study opportunities, they are involved in the region's culture and heritage and play a key role in health and social well-being through their own departments and work with outside agencies.

It also covers the way North-East universities are working together for the region's good while competing for students and resources.