News Archive
Could you inspire tomorrow’s business people?
(10 October 2006)
Durham Business School is on the look out for business owner-managers in the North East to help inspire high calibre graduates of tomorrow.
The award-winning Biology Enterprise collaboration with Durham University’s School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences develops final year undergraduates’ enterprise skills and introduces them to the key processes of business start-up, supported by the wisdom of the business people that have been through it themselves. With student numbers on the course doubling year on year, Durham Business School is appealing for more business mentors to spare two hours a month to share their expertise. Teams of six students spend two terms working on an idea for a business opportunity based on a scientific discovery within the field of biological and biomedical science. Using their knowledge and understanding of science, the students research and develop their idea into a technology that can be readily commercialised. Durham Business School teaches students the necessary skills and knowledge required to develop their idea into a successful business. For example, students will be expected to test their idea against the market, develop a clear business concept and write a business plan based on this. Specialist mentors from the Department of Biological Sciences, Durham Business School and an external mentor from the business community are assigned to each group. Robin Moore, Product Manager of Micro Market at Sage (UK) Limited, who is acting as a business mentor, said: “Sage is dedicated to supporting the start up community regionally and sees this as an admirable and innovative scheme.” The exercise culminates in a business plan and a presentation to a panel with a banker, venture capitalists and other members of the business community and is a ‘real life’ pitch for funding. The programme has been extremely successful, doubling student numbers year on year and students reporting that they have successfully landed their dream job as a result. Dinah Bennett, programme director at Durham Business School, said: “This is an excellent programme which gives the students a whole range of practical enterprise experience. “The role of the business mentors is a vital and popular part of the course and shows students the reality of enterprise. Not only is it great for the students, but the mentors also get a great deal out of it and I would love to hear from any business-owner managers who would like to share their knowledge.” Durham Business School is looking for men and women to act as mentors to students participating in this enterprise elective. If you are a business-owner manager, have knowledge of producing a business plan and are willing to donate two hours a month of your time for six months please contact: dinah.bennett@durham.ac.uk Tel: 0191 334 5497.
