Priming students for work: how industry collaboration supercharges learning at Derby International Business School

The Guardian

2 days ago

If you're planning a career in business and want to study a business degree, how do you go about picking a university? There are academic league tables, of course, plus the degree's curriculum, employment record and, perhaps, location.
But there are also harder-to-measure but equally important factors, such as the culture of a business school and the strength of its connections to industry. For Derby International Business School, collaboration with industry − and making sure that its courses reflect changing technologies, industry skills needs and business practices − is particularly important, as is ensuring its students are in demand by employers.
These priorities will be reflected when the University of Derby's Cavendish Building, the new home of Derby International Business School, opens in September and welcomes students through its doors. This will include the first cohort embarking on a new two-year accelerated degree in international business and AI, launched in partnership with global industry giant Rolls-Royce.
The first of its kind, the BSc (hons) international business and AI programme includes 'live briefs' – problems to solve and projects to work on – that have been co-created by academics and industry professionals.
The degree will focus on the real-world application of AI – and 'the realities of business in an AI-enabled world'. It aims to equip students with advanced technological and business skills to compete in the international jobs market.
The course has been designed to 'focus on needs, skills and competencies that are required by the future work market', says Parminder Johal, head of discipline for accounting, economics and finance at Derby International Business School. 'It will include people from Rolls-Royce, acting as mentors, supporting students in their projects and delivering guest lectures, providing them with a high-quality industry-engaged teaching and learning experience.'
AI technology is advancing fast – but by equipping students with up-to-date skills such as AI fundamentals and managing 'big data', and combining these skills with business troubleshooting, those students will graduate well prepared for the international jobs market. 'The aim is to equip students with a skill set that's going to enable them to apply advanced technological solutions to business problems,' says Johal.
The Cavendish Building will further deepen links between the business school and international industry. The new seven-storey building will also act as a co-working space and startup-style business 'incubator' for Derby's business community. Designed with collaboration in mind, it will provide a place where students, entrepreneurs and expert academics can network and learn from each other.
The business school's partnership with industry also includes developing bespoke, MBA-style management courses for managers at companies. Such business training has included developing a one-year course for Holcim, one of the world's biggest suppliers of building materials. The course develops Holcim's managers in areas that include marketing, operations management, finance and strategy.
Dr Simon Smith, senior lecturer and programme leader at the University of Derby, who developed the bespoke course in partnership with Holcim, likens it to a mini-MBA programme. 'It takes managers at the company, who are already fairly senior, to the next level and elevates their practice,' he says.
During the global programme, which began in 2021, participants are invited to week-long residentials in France, Mexico and at the University of Derby. During these stints, participants learn about the application of theory in real-world scenarios through site visits and hear from visiting speakers who are experts in their field.
The business school hopes to build more bespoke business courses for companies. Doing so brings multiple benefits – for corporate customers, the business school (through additional income and corporate links) and for its students, says Smith. 'I've been working with this company for about five years, and I've learned a huge amount,' he says. 'It's about the cross-fertilisation of ideas. It gives me industry-informed examples to teach my students, which means they are benefiting from understanding what the industry wants and needs.'
For their part, Holcim executives and managers who have taken the course say it's proved useful and interesting. 'You need good self-discipline – but you also have a lot of fun within the team,' says Daniel Eppler, a course alumnus at Holcim. 'You can develop your knowledge and also your leadership skills.'
Noureddine Djidi, who leads the programme at Holcim, adds that the course helps the company prepare for the future. 'By working with the University of Derby, we have the best of both worlds. In fact, the programme perfectly combines the theory, structure and scientific rigour of academia with the hands-on and practical nature of the industry.'
The university's proactive approach to industry engagement is therefore beneficial for students and businesses alike – with graduates armed with the valuable skills and experience for a successful career in business.
'A central point for our business community'
In September, the University of Derby will open the doors to the brand new home of its Derby International Business School in the city centre.
The new seven-storey Cavendish Building is intended as a focal point for Derby's business community, with entrepreneurs able to use the facilities and access the university's expertise.
The space has been designed to foster co-creation between students, academics and businesses, who will work alongside each other and have opportunities for networking. The setup aims to encourage conversations, knowledge sharing and practical innovation, initiating collaborations to help solve business challenges.
The new teaching facilities, which reinforce applied learning, include: a creativity lab, an extended reality suite (simulating a finance environment), a Harvard-style lecture theatre, an auditorium, exhibition space and a logistics lab. The first two floors of the building will be 'open access' with space for people to hold meetings or undertake project work.
'Collaborating with businesses to enable them to thrive and grow is a key part of the University of Derby's ethos,' says Smith. 'Through knowledge, experience and impactful research, we are helping businesses to deliver real-world impact.
'The new Cavendish Building will be a central point for our business community – a vibrant, collaborative space that showcases the breadth of what we offer; acting as a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation, and we are looking forward to opening our doors to further exciting opportunities.'
To find out more about studying at Derby International Business School, visit derby.ac.uk