University Centres of Excellence Launched To Boost Regional Growth
13 June 2012
Patsy Sewell-Mwamba, who set up a podiatrist business after going through the University's Enterprise Inc course, which helps students who have a business idea. Her clients included Derby County's players.
We can develop students who will be outstanding when either working for others or themselves
”Ian Roberts, Head of Derby Business School.
After the University's Enterprise Inc course Stuart Boyd set up Subism Ltd, a multi-faceted, independent creative business with its roots in modern street art, illustration and graffiti.
A national enterprise conference and direct involvement of companies in designing degree courses are among the commitments of three new University of Derby centres of excellence - aimed at boosting the economy.
The new centres, based within the Derby Business School at the University, are the:
- Centre for Enterprise - encouraging enterprising behaviour and supporting people to set up their own business
- Centre for Leadership Development - developing leadership capacity within organisations
- Centre for Supply Chain Improvement - drawing on specialist expertise in supply chain and logistics to solve business problems.
Their focus is to generate new business knowledge, create opportunities for new and established businesses, and give expert advice to firms; aimed at helping boost the economy regionally and beyond.
The strategy for the Centre for Enterprise includes commitments that by September 2013 it will have:
- actively promoted self-employment to all its students as a graduate level employment opportunity;
- appointed a 'resident entrepreneur';
- involved local entrepreneurs and firms in the design and delivery of its business-related courses, to inspire the set-up of new enterprising companies;
- engaged schools and colleges to join in with the University's enterprise agenda, to nurture future business people;
- strengthened engagement with professional organisations and networks such as Marketing Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Prince's Trust.
These plans will add to the extensive work already done by the University to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship.
It is one of the largest providers of business incubation units in Derby, with around 100 in and around the city-centre. It also participates in the national Enterprise Inc fund, supplying financial and other support to students and graduates to set up their own businesses.
Bev Crighton, Head of the Centre for Enterprise, said: "The UK and the wider world desperately needs enterprising people; those who have the courage, insight, drive and skills to spot opportunities, to create material and social value.
"Universities like Derby can play a crucial role in this endeavour."
The Centre for Leadership Development will focus on innovative approaches to developing leadership within organisations.
Joanne Carlier, Head of the Centre for Leadership Development, added: "Businesses need resilient and agile leaders who are able to sustain the business in rapidly changing and challenging times, but who are also able to inspire people to see where the organisation needs to be and what the opportunities are for growth.
"We're going to be looking at a range of ways to help organisations' senior people do just that. What we learn along the way will inform the academic programmes that we offer and be passed on to our students."
The Centre for Supply Chain Improvement will work with firms to solve problems relating to supply chains, adding value to the way they work. It has been set up in response to the role of the East Midlands as a central UK transport hub, with companies in the region annually handling the flow of billions of pounds worth of goods. A Head of Centre will shortly be appointed.
Ian Roberts, Head of Derby Business School, said: "We can develop students who will be outstanding when either working for others or themselves, and the University can also be a support and resource for our business and wider communities.
"The three new centres of excellence will enable us to better focus our efforts in those areas."
For more information about the Centres for Enterprise, Leadership Development and Supply Chain Improvement at the University's Derby Business School - including on courses and how their services can directly benefit businesses - see website www.derby.ac.uk/dbs/centres.
Media requiring more information should contact Press & PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk
