A state-of-the-art centre, bringing together students, staff and businesses
The university has a grand vision for the county – one in which we work closely with the best businesses and help them realise their ambitions and compete on the world stage.
A cornerstone of this vision is the new School of Business and Technology, which opened on Oxstalls campus at the beginning of September 2018. Part of a £20m development, this world class facility will bring an additional 2000 students to Gloucester, and an increase in skilled workforce, innovation and enterprise to the county as a whole.
Professor Kamal Bechkoum, Head of the University’s School of Business and Technology, said:
“We pride ourselves on having industry experienced academic staff and a business-focused student body. Embedding these within businesses has achieved extraordinary things in the past and building on this is a key focus going forward. This is why we have invested in this fantastic new facility – it has been specifically designed to inspire learning, support new businesses and develop the University’s partnerships with existing companies.
Gloucestershire is an outstanding place to do business. We are home to some of the most pioneering companies in the world; from international fashion, to green energy, to cyber security and more. However, these are challenging times for businesses of all shapes and sizes – only those who are able to adapt and innovate within a climate of uncertainty will reach their growth potential. We are here to help businesses rise to these challenges.”
The new School of Business and Technology will be an exemplar of modern teaching and learning – gone are the days when lecturers stand at the front of a classroom and talk at students for hours on end. As the needs of business evolve, dynamic universities are aiming to provide more inspiring and interactive learning environments, challenging their students to become active participants rather than passive observers. The-state-of-the-art new building aims to facilitate this by providing a shared space for academics, students and enterprise, where everybody can teach and everybody can learn.
Crucially teaching will only be a part of what will go on in the new building – the School of Business and Technology is home to more than 70 thought-leaders, each with an average of 20 years of real-world business experience. They are working with a range of companies from all over the world, on individual projects and in long-term partnerships; all designed to drive growth in business. For the first time these experts are located together inside one specialist centre, and within easy reach of the business community.
Academics will not be the only talent available to businesses who step inside the new centre – the School of Business and Technology is currently developing the next generation of business leaders, innovative thinkers and talent. Through internships, placements, apprenticeships and research projects, University of Gloucestershire students are already making a real difference to businesses throughout the county and beyond. The new School of Business and Technology will provide more opportunities for organisations to access this talent and reap the benefits of fresh thinking and new ideas.
Businesses are invited to visit the new facilities and discuss how the University can help them grow. For more information visit the website.