A host of businesses recently attended an event at Bucks New University to find out more about an initiative utilising students’ skills in the workplace. They were invited to network in The Gateway building and also to carry out a usability study on the StudentGems.com website.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership department at the University has been working with Bucks based, StudentGems.com, where businesses can find talented students for one-off jobs and project work.
The company has been taking part in a Knowledge Transfer Lite Programme, which is funded by the Economic Challenge Investment Fund and is aimed at ensuring that StudentGems.com is getting the most from its marketing strategy. The Lite Programme is one of the knowledge transfer activities that the University has designed to support businesses and individuals in the recession.
As part of the StudentGems.com usability study, BA (Hons) Public Relations and Marketing Communications students carried out surveys with the business people attending to formulate the research. Businesswoman Pauline Trew was among people surveyed and gave feedback on the website to second year student Roshal Patel.
Trew, from Beaconsfield-based photography firm, Trewimage, said: “This is a great opportunity to find out more about StudentGems.com, network with other businesses and also find out more about Bucks New University.”
Patel said she had been keen to take part in the exercise because she was gaining meaningful work experience which could be added to her CV.
StudentGems.com has been working with Ruth Hickmott, the academic supervisor at Bucks, on their marketing strategy. Hickmott said the partnership was a ‘win-win situation’ for all sides. She added: “It enables StudentGems.com to improve its business and allows our students to gain real-life experience of digital marketing.”
Joanna Ward, co-founder of StudentGems.com with business partner Sue Harrison, said working with the Knowledge Transfer Lite Programme at Bucks had been of great benefit: “I have regularly met with Ruth Hickmott to discuss our marketing needs to make sure that we are approaching it correctly. The support has been invaluable.”
Gordon Hooker, Knowledge Transfer manager at Bucks, explained that Bucks’ partnership with StudentGems.com is an example of how the University can work with local businesses. He said: “We have the expertise to help businesses, and through our Knowledge Transfer Lite Programme, advance the areas they require over a short period.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with StudentGems.com and, through the expertise we have here, help them to progress.”
StudentGems.com matches employer needs with student skills for one-off jobs and project work. It has a database of 18,000 students and 4,000 employees. For further details, please go to www.studentgems.com
For more information about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership opportunities at Bucks New University, visit www.bucks.ac.uk/ktp, call the Open 4 Business team on 01494 605244, or email: open@bucks.ac.uk