The Chairman of Worcestershire County Council has praised the University of Worcester on a visit.
Cllr Tony Miller was given a guided tour of the University's facilities before meeting with the University's Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green and had the chance to speak to recent graduates and staff.
The visit included a tour of the University of Worcester Arena, The Hive, the Infirmary medical museum at the University's City Campus, and the Forensic House and healthcare teaching facilities at the St John's Campus.
"It's nice to see the way the University is progressing and growing," he said.
"It is a beacon for the county.
"To see all the different facets that the University has to offer is encouraging and it's up to the County Council to make sure that we promote the University and what you can achieve here.
"What I would hope is that University students achieve their academic potential here, then go on to work within Worcestershire, live within Worcestershire and raise their families in Worcestershire."
Cllr Miller, who visited the University of Worcester Arena when it was being built, said it was nice to see the variety of activities going on there from children's football to top flight basketball.
He welcomed the emergence of the new Severn Stars netball team, a joint franchise between Worcester and Gloucestershire Universities.
"It's a natural progression and it's good to diversify into other sports as much as you can, using the facilities for many things. It's sometimes thinking outside the box."
He also praised the University and County Council's joint project, The Hive, adding: "It's a success in its usage, it integrates all different ages. There are so many different people that actually use it. I was speaking to a group of ministers from the church who prepare their sermons there because they like the ambience, the quietness.
"Because it's used by the University and the public there's good interaction between students and the public as well.
"When you think a facility like that has been created and used by so many people it's a fine example of what we actually can achieve."
He was also impressed by the Forensic House that the University provides for its forensic science students to do their practical work.
Cllr Miller, who worked as an electrical engineer and whose job included doing videos at crime scenes, said: "When you step into that house you are being assessed - what you touch, what you notice is important - as training that's essential for anyone going into forensic science."