The Masood Enterprise Centre (MEC), part of The University of Manchester and based in the School, will patron the awards that recognise talent and success in the higher and further education sectors.
The awards will take place in April at Manchester's Hilton Deansgate, bringing together influential figures from the region's educational establishments.
The MEC will support both the organisation and promotion of the Educate North Awards, on top of the two further competitions staged by Educate North for entrepreneurs - the University Entrepreneurs Challenge (UEC), and the University Entrepreneurs Grant (UEG).
Next year, the UEG will see four students, graduates or academics pitch a bright idea in front of the Awards audience for the chance to walk away with a cash prize of £1,000.
Deputy Director of the MEC, Tony Walker, explains: "Educate North has grown rapidly to become a highly competitive and sought-after endorsement of change, improvement and excellence in the higher and further education and Sixth Form sectors.
"It is vital that we support enterprise education and student startups for the growth and prosperity of the North at a time of economic uncertainty. The awards showcase the important research and development undertaken across the education sector and we are proudly committing our support over the next three years.
"As Manchester accelerates our support for new entrepreneurs, we are also delighted to support the two smart entrepreneurial competitions which Educate North has spawned and is developing."
Dr John Kennedy CBE - Co-founder of Educate North alongside broadcaster Rob McLoughlin - said: "MEC and the University of Manchester’s backing and endorsement reflects its pioneering roots and also its wider responsibilities to be a trailblazer for not just its immediate environment but for the entire North.
"We are delighted that it is our first institutional patron as we open the door to welcome others on board so that this showcase and initiative can now expand and present the achievements of the North’s university and further education sector to the wider country and especially the decision makers in Whitehall and Westminster."
