University of Suffolk launches 'We Are Together with Business' programme of support for the business community
The University of Suffolk have launched their ‘We are Together with Business’ programme; a suite of resources for local and regional businesses to help the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The University is a rich source of talent and as a community impact university, it wants to support businesses to respond, recover and to build their resilience through a knowledge exchange offer.
Stef Thorne, Director of Business Engagement and Entrepreneurship at the University of Suffolk, said:
“We are here to be of value to you and are currently working with industry and organisations across Suffolk in a number of ways to ensure that we engage in a way that makes best use of our talents, resources and expertise as well being targeted at the specific needs of those around us.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the University has supported the community in numerous ways from students and staff working in the NHS and as keyworkers, to the repurposing of the 3D printers to print protective visors, to working on the Tribe app enabling those who need help to notify support services.
The Working Together with Business programme will bring together colleagues from across the University together with local businesses to support the recovery process. Stef added:
“We are producing a free series of sessions on leadership and management and our CPD offer is building so that you can access training virtually while remote working and for when you are back in the workplace. Our academic teams, students and business development managers are developing a number of additional activities for the rest of this calendar year and beyond to support business recovery using the skills and expertise we have across a number of disciplines.”
Professor Gurpreet Jagpal, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Entrepreneurship at the University, said:
“I believe it’s critical that the University of Suffolk works with our business community to address the challenge of recovery presented by the current Covid-19 pandemic and that businesses are aware that we will be together with you and support you during these turbulent times. The ‘We are Together with Business’ programme is one of the initiatives we will be delivering over the next few months and over the course of the year to ensure Suffolk, the wider region and the UK will bounce back. We welcome your thoughts and an ongoing dialogue for how we can be of service. Please email us at enagage@uos.ac.uk.”
Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
“Our Universities play an important role in helping local businesses and their staff through these challenging times. It is great to see this programme of training and support being made available.”
John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, added:
“Universities provide huge economic benefits to their local areas, residents and of course businesses. At a time when many businesses may be struggling, the We are Together with Business programme by the University of Suffolk, will provide real tangible support and benefits for our business community. Firms of all sizes and sectors can benefit from a wealth of resources, knowledge sharing and several free sessions on leadership and management. This programme by the University shows the real strength of partnership working we have here in the county.”
The programme of support for the business community comes after the Prime Minister’s announcement on 10th May 2020, where he outlined a ‘road map’ to recovery and a cautious modification of some of the lockdown measures.
To find out more about the We are together with Business programme please visit: www.uos.ac.uk/content/we-are-together-business
