Minister recognises BU’s help for graduates

22 December 2009

David Lammy, MP, with BU graduate entrepreneur Philip Robinson

UK Minister for Higher Education tours University campuses to see firsthand how BU supports graduate development.

The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Minister for Higher Education, has visited BU to see at first hand how the University is supporting graduate employability and entrepreneurship.

Meeting with representatives from the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), Universities South West and touring the campuses of the Arts University College Bournemouth (AUCB) and BU, the Minister learned about some of the exciting initiatives that are being undertaken across the South West through partnerships between regional organisations and higher education.

“There are many excellent projects underway across the country aimed at supporting graduates towards employment and I’m pleased to see for myself some of the great examples here in the South West,” said Mr Lammy.

“It’s important we continue to build on this good work by encouraging even more collaboration between regional partners,” he continued. “Sharing best practice and learning from current programmes will help to influence future initiatives for graduates and target them where they’re needed most.”

The Minister’s visit opened with a tour of BU’s newly-opened Executive Business Centre, located in the heart of the town’s commercial district and a focal point for executive and professional education.

There, he met with Matthew Beaumont, Project Manager for Bournemouth’s Multi-Area Agreement, in which BU is leading the agenda related to employment and skills. The Minister also discussed the University’s involvement in initiatives related to the Green Knowledge Economy and Low Carbon – High Skills programme with Dr Alan Fyall, BU’s Head of Enterprise.

The South West has been designated a Low Carbon Economic Area for Marine Energy. BU will work as part of a South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and Universities South West project to address the urgent need for higher level skills in the marine industry by working with business to develop training, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) course and establishing graduate internship programmes.

The Minister also met with Jill Sheen, Head of Skills at SWRDA, and Jeff Brown, Executive Director of Universities SW, to discuss how universities and businesses throughout the region are responding to the issue of graduate employment prospects in the current job market.

The Minister then took part in a demonstration led by BU’s Commercialisation Unit of recent products designed by graduates which have been made market ready with help from the University.

He later toured the University’s world renowned Media School, taking in the UK’s first University-based HD TV studio, developed in partnership with Sony Europe, followed by an interactive session with staff and students in the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA).

“We’re pleased to be able to show the Minister, firsthand, how well Bournemouth University is geared to support the talents of its staff and students and working closely with local authorities and businesses to support the skills and employability agendas in our region,” said Professor Nick Petford, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise).