Business

Published 27 February 2009

The University of Brighton's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, met with David Lammy MP, Minister of State for Higher Education, this week to discuss the role of universities in the context of the current recession. Professor Crampton (pictured below) was amongst a small committee of vice-chancellors representing Universities UK.

The vice-chancellors were there to discuss with the MP the importance of higher education to navigate a path out of recession and how universities can help businesses both in the short-term and long-term in areas such as practical re-training and courses, support for managers, networking and consultancy.

At the meeting, the University of Brighton's ProfitNet scheme, the learning networks programme, was highlighted as an excellent example of how universities can help with advice and consultancy services. Such is its success, ProfitNet is now becoming a global brand, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in South Africa and Ireland, with proposals currently being considered in Brazil and Chile.

ProfitNet was created by the university following substantial research into how businesses learn from each other to help local SMEs work together to solve common business problems. In just four years ProfitNet has worked with almost 500 SMEs across Sussex. This is the first time a university has solved the problem of engaging with SMEs on a regular basis and delivering benefits through knowledge transfer.

The university's commitment to local business and student employability is evident in other university business initiatives such as beepurple. This entrepreneurship network is made up of students, graduates and staff who are interested in developing their business skills and business ideas. Offering free evening workshops, participants have the opportunity to learn directly from those who have turned innovative ideas into successful businesses from a range of industries.

The committee also discussed with David Lammy how universities are supporting graduates and current students in a difficult job market. At Brighton, along with running regular job workshops, the Careers Centre are now offering extra lunchtime seminars to help students with CVs and job applications, interviews tips and psychometric tests. The university's Careers Centre has increased its careers coaching and a careers counsellor will be contacting final year students who have used the careers service in the past to ensure they are getting the extra support they need. The careers team will be employing student ambassadors to encourage students to promote the Careers Centre's services widely.

The university's individual schools also hold a range of career events. The Finance and Accountancy Careers Forum held at the Business School gave students the opportunity to consider career paths by meeting a range of finance and accountancy professionals from companies including Barclays, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, KPMG and VT Flagship.

Speaking after the meeting with David Lammy, Professor Julian Crampton said: "In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that universities support local businesses, students and graduates through these difficult times in a variety of ways. Gaining knowledge and skills is imperative at a time like this."

The role of higher education has been put on the national agenda in recent weeks with the secretary of state urging universities to reach local communities to offer practical help to individuals and businesses and the secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, John Denham, calling for more universities to offer vocational degrees.

Brighton has a tradition of developing new, vocational courses to meet the requirements of individual employers with courses such as the foundation certificate/degree in Policing in Partnership with Communities, produced in collaboration with Sussex Police, and a new course in Paramedic Practice for 2009. The university has also pioneered the award-winning volunteering scheme in Sussex, @ctivestudent, which helps students find suitable volunteering placements, in turn increasing their employability whilst getting involved with the local community.