STUDENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE AWARD 2017 NOMINATED PROJECT - INVERNESS COLLEGE UHI BUSINESS COMPETITION, LED BY CREATE (CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION). 1) Outline the project or initiative and what makes it innovative and inspiring (max 300 words). What does UHI want to inspire in its students? As educators we want our learners to leave their studies at UHI as confident individuals who have a will-do, be all you can be’ ‘can-do attitude that prepares them for the world of work and/or self-employment, if they so choose. The Inverness College UHI, Business inspires, encourages and supports students from across all UHI colleges and research centres to act in a way that will lead them towards becoming an enterprising and entrepreneurial graduate and put them in a stronger position amongst peers with regards to becoming employed, but more importantly, helping them develop those transferable skills that will allow them to remain employable. The competition not only value’ to an already full and varied curriculum, it also ‘adds promotes the development of enterprising and entrepreneurial behaviours and skills such as opportunity spotting, taking the initiative, creative problem solving, presenting ideas and building relationships. It enables all UHI students who enter to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment where CREATE staff work to ensure they feel supported at all stages of the competition. Our support involves training to develop their ideas, help with constricting an application, advice and practice on presenting to judges, 1-2-1 support (post competition) and introductions to other organisations that can also help them. Each year we actively encourage entries from FE, HE and postgraduate students as well as researchers. To date the competition has encouraged 700+ students from across all curriculum areas, to enter and annually award £8k in prize money. Part of the competition’s uniqueness lies in the extensive network of staff and student champions that we have built to encourage students to enter. This collaboration ensures open and ease of access to the competition across UHI and encourages maximum impact. (word count -300)
STUDENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE AWARD 2017 NOMINATED PROJECT - INVERNESS COLLEGE UHI BUSINESS COMPETITION, LED BY CREATE (CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION). 1) Outline the project or initiative and what makes it innovative and inspiring (max 300 words). What does UHI want to inspire in its students? As educators we want our learners to leave their studies at UHI as confident individuals who have a ‘can-do will-do, be all you can be’ attitude that prepares them for the world of work and/or self-employment, if they so choose. The Inverness College UHI, Business inspires, encourages and supports students from across all UHI colleges and research centres to act in a way that will lead them towards becoming an enterprising and entrepreneurial graduate and put them in a stronger position amongst peers with regards to becoming employed, but more importantly, helping them develop those transferable skills that will allow them to remain employable. The competition not only ‘adds value’ to an already full and varied curriculum, it also promotes the development of enterprising and entrepreneurial behaviours and skills such as opportunity spotting, taking the initiative, creative problem solving, presenting ideas and building relationships. It enables all UHI students who enter to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment where CREATE staff work to ensure they feel supported at all stages of the competition. Our support involves training to develop their ideas, help with constricting an application, advice and practice on presenting to judges, 1-2-1 support (post competition) and introductions to other organisations that can also help them. Each year we actively encourage entries from FE, HE and postgraduate students as well as researchers. To date the competition has encouraged 700+ students from across all curriculum areas, to enter and annually award £8k in prize money. Part of the competition’s uniqueness lies in the extensive network of staff and student champions that we have built to encourage students to enter. This collaboration ensures open and ease of access to the competition across UHI and encourages maximum impact. (word count -300)
Business-Competition.docx