The progress of Tees Valley's two university sites is one of the most exciting developments in recent years.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Teesside University has developed from its Constantine College and Polytechnic roots to become a vibrant and modern university educating more than 20,000 students.
The development of Teesside University has seen it build an international reputation in several fields including computing, health and sport.
It is now the top new university in England for the percentage of full-time degree graduates getting graduate jobs or going on the graduate-level study or training, according to The Times Good University Guide 2005.
The university also recently announced its latest development - an £11m digital media centre to be built behind the Evening Gazette.
Nearly 300 jobs and 130 new companies will be created by 2010 as the result of a new Institute of Digital Innovation to be built on Teesside.
The announcement of the first part of Teesside University's DigitalCity aims to put the Tees Valley at the front of digital technologies with a world class reputation in areas such as computer animation.
Existing digital businesses across the region will benefit as will potential new firms, including spin-out companies set up by staff and graduates from the university.
The project will also work with the region's other science and technology centres.
Meanwhile Durham University's Queen's Campus, in Stockton combines the quality of modern hi-tech facilities with the prestige of the historic university.
Durham University is one of the UK's top research universities and Queen's Campus has developed this tradition to become a leader in health-related research.
The Wolfson Research Insititute is home to staff and research students working on health, medicine and the environment.
101 Great Reasons... 1. Teessiders - the friendliest people in the country. 5. The world famous Transporter Bridge - a symbol of Teesside engineering at its best (and better than the Tyne Bridge). 14. Captain Cook - the world's greatest explorer. 18. Boro ending 128 years of hurt by winning the Carling Cup and marching into Europe. Click here to view all 101 Great Reasons
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101 Great Reasons...
Welcome to the 101 Great Reasons