Three Top Universities Collaborate On Unique Enterprise Initiative

Jan. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- THREE of Britain’s top universities with a joint student population of 85,000 are pooling their resources to host a unique conference aimed at embracing the spirit of enterprise as a means of equipping post graduates with the skills that can help them succeed.

Enterprise Futures 2012: Inspiration, Collaboration, Opportunity is being staged jointly by the University of Manchester, the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University at Media City on Monday January 23rd.

The day long conference will allow postgraduates to be inspired by academics, entrepreneurs, business experts – and their peers who have already started a successful business. The mixture of “how to” workshops, inspirational case studies and the chance to network with like-minded people from other local universities will equip students with the entrepreneurial awareness that could enable them to make a difference in the real world.

“All three universities already encourage the spirit of enterprise among their students and Universities such as Manchester have already seen the benefits of this approach with many of its students engaging in entrepreneurial activities such as our University-wide Business Plan Competition,” said Jonathan Styles an Enterprise Lecturer with Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester.

“The idea for the joint conference was a result of the on-going collaboration between the three universities. It seemed appropriate at a time when the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are reminding the British public that it is the spirit of enterprise that will kick-start our flagging economy.

“Enterprise Futures is about equipping students with the tools and techniques to become the entrepreneurs of the future.”

All three universities have seen enterprise in action with post-graduate students launching their own businesses while continuing to study or research.

Head of the University of Manchester’s enterprise training programme for postgraduate researchers Dr Robert Phillips said: “Studies suggest around five per cent of postgraduate students start a business each year, yet these students are working on cutting edge research looking for solutions to some of society’s biggest problems.

“Our conference aims to open students’ eyes to the possibilities of commercialising their research themselves. Many people think of academic researchers and entrepreneurs as exact opposites – but both are extremely creative, solving problems which exist in society – entrepreneurs simply find people to pay for these solutions.

“The Government is keen to promote the UK as a knowledge economy and universities are generating vast amounts of knowledge. With the right training, postgraduate students are ideally placed to turn this knowledge into products and services.”

The case of Andrew Jervis, enrolled on the master of enterprise part-time research programme at Manchester Business School, underlines Dr Phillips point. The 27 year old who is already a director of a holding company for brands including PieBoy Clothing identified an opportunity on campus and took appropriate action.

“A friend of mine and I noticed a trend on campus towards retro beanies,” explained Andrew. “So we designed some, found manufacturers and ordered some in.”

Five hundred of his beanies were put on a pop-up stall, hired some help and soon sold out – at £8 a hat!

Enterprise Futures 2012 will highlight similar success stories to visitors who will be able to assess for themselves the impact of an enterprise culture on a university.

Both Manchester Metropolitan University and Salford University have an Enterprise Champion within their institutions acting as a lead catalyst to enhance the environment for the development of enterprise and entrepreneurship cultures.

Since 2008 their Enterprise Champions have worked towards the development of universities that are more conducive to entrepreneurship with dedicated specialist staff capable of delivering entrepreneurial opportunities for students and graduates.

Enterprise Futures 2012 underlines the commitment of all three universities to entrepreneurship.

University of Salford Enterprise Lecturer Jenny Warburton said: “This unique collaborative event will give the opportunity to students to pursue self employment or employment, expanding their skill set and attributes to demonstrate creativity, innovation, resilience, collaboration as well as autonomy which are essential for life-long career success.”

Dr Clare Schofield, Deputy Director with Special Responsibility for Learning and Curriculum at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Centre for Enterprise said: “Developing the next generation of high calibre graduates able to combine theoretical and subject knowledge with essential enterprise knowledge, skills and behaviours is a priority for our three universities and the NW region

“The aim of the conference is to combine the key strengths of the three NW universities to make a significant and positive impact on the future of the individual postgraduates and the economic prosperity of the region.”

For further information click onto: www.postgradenterprise.co.uk

ENDS