news 7 education news
Bucks New University places a focus on security in an uncertain world
Emma Parkinson heads up the Department of Security & Resilience at Buckinghamshire New University and believes its unique range of courses can help businesses stay one step ahead in today’s world
The University in High Wycombe is responding to the needs of managers by offering a range of flexible courses, including a Master’s Degree in Organisational Resilience, tailored to the workplace and designed specifically to be completed by people in full-time employment.
Parkinson, who heads up a department staffed by security industry professionals, said the security qualifications offered at Bucks New University were vital in today’s ‘multi-risk world’.
She said: “Our students are from a wide range of backgrounds – we have students who work in the financial services sector and in the public sector – and many design their study around their workplace so it ties in with their occupation. They learn skills that they can immediately take back to work with them, enhancing their business and ensuring that they are prepared for whatever the future holds.
“In today’s multi-risk world, organisations must be prepared to anticipate, respond to and recover from unexpected and undesirable events.
“Risks and threats have multiple sources and impacts and failure to manage them to satisfactory conclusions can undermine operational and financial stability.
“Businesses and organisations need to be able to manage their own interests and protect their products and services, alongside those of their stakeholders, and to manage their futures effectively.”
The lecturing team in the Department of Security & Resilience at Bucks New University are not only academic specialists, but also have current experience within the security and resilience industries.
Parkinson said this industry experience helped give the department an edge over other institutions with less knowledge of the challenges faced by people in the workplace, suggesting that
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2015
People in organisations such as healthcare might need to manage an overwhelming surge in demand with diminished resources, whereas manufacturers may see disruption to transport networks, loss of power or staff shortages. These aren’t dramatic disaster-movie style occurrences, but are a real part of managing an organisation in the Thames Valley.
Parkinson added: “Simply having plans to deal with disaster is no longer sufficient; organisations need to embed practices of resilience through everything they do, so that they are robust enough to survive. Our courses enable business leaders to identify effectively the risks that they face and ensure that their organisation is structured in an appropriate manner.”
Emma Parkinson
an understanding of the problems in the real world is key to being able to both find and implement appropriate solutions.
“It takes people from the world of work to understand the concerns faced by employers; there’s no good in constructing elaborate solutions that can’t be applied in the real world. Our strength is in equipping organisations with the tools they need to put in place realistic solutions to a wide range of problems.”
When it comes to the kind of problems faced by businesses in the Thames Valley, Parkinson notes that historically there has been plenty to be concerned about. As well as the range of nationwide problems that face all businesses – theft, fraud, data loss, fuel strikes and so forth, the local area has its own specific issues to contend with – not least catastrophic flooding as was seen across a large part of the region in the spring of 2014.
Businesses in the region need to be prepared for everything that such an inundation might throw at them – from the direct damage to their own operation, through to the implications for their supply chain and customers.
Speaking about the MSc in Organisational Resilience, Parkinson said: “Students complete four modules on business continuity management and perspectives, security management, threat, risk and impact perspectives, and civil protection, crisis and emergency management, as well as a research dissertation on an organisational resilience theme of their choosing.
“All the courses take place within one academic year. Throughout this period there are a series of two-day workshops at the university’s Missenden Abbey Conference Centre, where students can benefit not only from the knowledge of the university’s team and our internationally renowned visiting lecturers, but also from the excellent business networking opportunities that these courses offer.
“For students who can’t spare time away from the office, the courses can also be undertaken remotely, using the university’s outstanding virtual learning environment. All students benefit from constant access to the university’s academic staff and an electronic library that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.”
Details: Emma Parkinson
emma.parkinson@
bucks.ac.uk 01494-522141
www.bucks.ac.uk
www.businessmag.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56