University links up with Prince’s Business Trust

Jun 19 2008 by Graham Fraser

THE University of the West of Scotland has entered into a unique partnership agreement with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust .

The agreement is the first of its kind in the Scottish university sector.

It will lead to the university and the Trust working together to widen opportunities for students to explore the potential of starting up and running their own businesses.

This will include collaboration on the design and delivery of student business planning workshops, specifically aimed at increasing student entrepreneurship activity.

The official signing of the partnership agreement took place at the university’s annual student entrepreneurship awards last month at the Hamilton campus.

Professor Seamus McDaid, principal and vice chancellor of the university, said: “This important partnership agreement illustrates the common vision that the university and the Trust share: helping tomorrow’s business leaders to achieve their full potential.

“This agreement is a real sign of our intention to build on the strong working relationship which we have with the Trust.

“ The fact that we are the first Scottish university to have such an agreement with the Trust illustrates the strength of our business courses and the quality of our students.”

Mark Strudwick, chief executive of the Trust, added: “Many young people have the determination and enthusiasm to build their own business but so often they lack the confidence and personal skills required to take the bold leap into self-employment.

“This partnership with the University of the West of Scotland will provide significant support and encouragement to potential entrepreneurs and those already in business who want to address their own skills base.”