The aerospace giant – which employs 9,000 staff at its sites in Warton and Samlesbury, near Preston – is one of the companies in talks with bosses from the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE).

The council has joined forces with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in the US which aims to create and promote "university enterprise networks".

The institutions would encourage companies to invest in universities and could mean firms like BAE would be able to dictate what is taught.

A spokesman for the NGCE said: "A key part of the development of the network will be the involvement of the private sector and the commitment and involvement of the senior management within universities.
"We want to create a more entrepreneurial society and encourage more graduates to set up businesses.

"We are talking to a number of companies who are interested in giving something back and BAE is a major corporation.

"Over the coming months, the NCGE will be working with a range of possible private sector partners and engaging with higher education leaders."

Microsoft UK has already agreed to support a network promoting enterprise to students studying for a technology-related degree.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency has also said it is keen to work with the region's universities and drive the initiative forward.

Gordon Brown initially announced the plans in his 2007 budget, and it is hoped the additional funding will help students experience real-life enterprise.

At the time, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: "Together we can build the strongest entrepreneurial culture that the world has ever seen.

"Together we can encourage young people to realise and unlock their talents so their potential is realised to the full."

Last month the Government announced its new strategy, 'Enterprise: unlocking the UK's talent' which also aims to oversee the creation of a National Enterprise Academy.

No one from BAE Systems was available to comment on the plans.

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