The Creative Campus Initiative, which has received the Inspire Mark, involves 13 universities and is bringing together leading artists and performers to collaborate with students, academics, schools as well as local communities to create a programme of new art and cultural events this summer.

Edwards, the Triple-Jump World Record holder and a keen supporter of the arts, was on hand to officially launch the programme at Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank and said: “I’m amazed at the sheer volume and diversity of creative projects that the universities have produced.

“These projects are bringing the arts and sports together in unexpected and unique ways. I believe that Higher Education plays a unique role in raising the aspirations and skills of young people and this programme shows universities working closely together, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The universities which make up the CCI consortium (see list below) share a common belief that the programme will help stimulate new forms of creative exploration, research and learning, opening up different progression routes into Higher Education from young people, particularly from disadvantaged communities.

Dr Seymour Roworth-Stokes, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University for the Creative Arts and Chair of the Consortium's Steering Group, said: “This programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve an unprecedented level of cultural collaboration between universities in the UK.

“It will open up the cultural resources and assets of our campuses, providing greater access to world leading, practice-based research in the creative and performing arts”.

Attendees at the launch event were treated to a performance from a group called Signdance Collective, which combines music, dance and sign language.

Buckinghamshire New University, Oxford Brookes University, University of Portsmouth, Southampton University, Southampton Solent University, University for the Creative Arts and Winchester University, University of Brighton and University of Sussex, Canterbury Christ Church University and University of Kent, Royal Holloway University of London and Thames Valley University.