education & business 11
Solent unveils vision to be the region’s ’applied university’
A new strategic plan which sets the goal for Southampton Solent University to become a leading university with an emphasis on real- world learning and research has just been unveiled. Alison Dewar of The Business Magazine reports
Starting this academic year and taking the university through to 2020, the vision has been led by vice-chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin.
At its heart is a determination to drive closer links with Solent’s business community, to enhance the university’s standing on the international stage and, above all, to ensure students from all backgrounds have the chance to learn and gain the skills they need for future careers.
At the same time, a new research and innovation office will be established and 10 anniversary research fellowships created to mark the decade since Southampton Solent was awarded university status.
“We see this as a very exciting time, a fundamental part of the strategic plan is the people experience – this is not only about our students but also our staff, our stakeholders and the wider community,“ said Baldwin.
“A research-informed and research-active curriculum allows students to be exposed to research from day one, so they become aware of the techniques used, and it will prepare them for when they undertake research on their own as part of their studies or in work.
“By underpinning our work with research it allows us to develop excellence in our learning and teaching, while at the same time making the work exciting and engaging for students.“
The university already has a reputation for excellence in the sector and it plans to build on this to become the region’s ’applied university’ by developing research contracts with commercial organisations, national research councils, charities and government departments.
2016 will also see the opening of the university’s new academic teaching building and conference centre at East Park Terrace, giving students access to the latest teaching technologies and techniques, as well as providing a new conference venue for the city.
Baldwin says that the strategic plan marks a change to broaden the university’s emphasis on full-time undergraduate education, introducing more part-time and short courses to help attract mature learners who may have previously missed out on further education.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2015
He is keen to forge even closer ties with the local business community, saying: “By interacting more with businesses we can both benefit. We want employers to have the opportunity to input into our curriculum and understand how they can best utilise the resources that exist within the university.
“With more placement and work experience opportunities, students will be able to discover what it’s like to be in the real world, understand the disciplines required and develop the knowledge and skills for their future careers.“
The university already has a strong reputation in the sector’s ’top 20’ for student business start-ups and student enterprise, and Baldwin says another key focus will be looking at ways to ensure knowledge transfer takes place between Solent and businesses.
He cites successes of the Solent Creatives team as an example of how this can work well and says as well as larger organisations, the university’s business school is also keen to support smaller businesses.
Among the other “very exciting“ innovations is a new degree apprenticeship programme which, in partnership with major companies such as Balfour Beatty, gives students the flexibility to dip in and out of further education, allowing them to combine study with a career.
www.businessmag.co.uk
Above: Solent Creatives – an excellent example of successful knowledge transfer between the university and businesses
Left: Professor Graham Baldwin
Building on its excellent track record in areas such as the creative industries, sports and maritime, the university also plans to strengthen its offering across a wider arena, including the health and service sectors.
Expanding on the international stage is also a key platform for the new vision, as Baldwin explains: “Employers constantly tell us that
international experience is very important for students in securing future employment.
“Giving our students the opportunity to work alongside students from different cultures and backgrounds and to go overseas themselves will help us to achieve that. We want our international experience to be one of the reasons why people want to study here, knowing that they will be gaining exposure to one of the key elements that will help them prepare better for a future career.“
He concluded: “There has been a tremendous amount of work undertaken by everyone in the university to bring our vision together and the great thing is that everyone is so committed to it. Our goal is to be seen as a world-class university which is the pride of Southampton and the Solent region and for us it’s about doing that in partnership with the local community.“
Details:
www.solent.ac.uk
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