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A successful Enterprise Week

Students and local businesses were among those to benefit from Enterprise Week at the University of Kent's Canterbury and Medway campuses, 17-23 November.

The event, which was part of a wider national event, was set up to encourage students to develop business ideas and to present what the University has to offer to the business community. It was organised by Kent Innovation & Enterprise (KIE), the University's dedicated business development unit.

Highlights included the launch of the University's Ideas Factory, a scheme that will provide increased access to funding for the support of innovative and enterprising ideas, and the Flying Start Rally, a free half-day event aimed at turning the skills, knowledge and passion of young people into the reality of entrepreneurship. The Flying Start Rally was opened by entrepreneur and former The Apprentice contestant Raef Bjayou, who delivered an inspirational and motivational talk to students from the University of Kent and other regional institutions.

Of major interest to local businesses was an event designed to explain how student work placements could improve their profitability through students transferring new skills to existing staff, improving work place practices, facilitating the introduction of new technology and creating new sources of competitive advantage. More than 30 local businesses attended the event and a series of discussions with Christina Schoenleber, Assistant Director of KIE, and James Corbin, Student Placement Officer.

Students also attended a series of workshops exploring the practical, networking and experience-building benefits of short-term placements, internships, summer placements and the traditional Year in Industry.

Carole Barron, Director of KIE, said: 'Enterprise Week is all about inspiring people to be enterprising, to generate new ideas, embrace innovation and, through imagination and creativity, turn ideas into reality. The week has given participants an insight into what's involved in running a business and will hopefully contribute towards their later life in business.'

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 5:00pm 28 November 2008