Visit to the University of Brighton was designed as two day event. The first day was dedicated to the presentation of experiences of the University of Brighton in the field related to the third mission dimension, especially related to Creativity Centre, Economic and Social Engagement and Centre for Learning and Teaching as main UoB unit for life long learning (LLL). In accordance with agreed Agenda, following speeches and presentations were held in the UoB Creative centre premises:

  • Prof. Andrew Lloyd,Dean of the College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences of the University of Brighton welcomed participants and initiated discussion about engagement of University of Brighton in the third mission and place of this mission in UoB.This mission should be connecting force between universities and community need, fulfilling this mission is probably the best way to improve complete community state and deliver needed developing results.
  • Richard Morris, presented UK academic background number. Implementation of third mission in UK was regulated from 1998. Universities faced challenges in the field of the level of support needed for the implementation of third mission. Especially since most of the pressure is on the teaching, than research and need to invest additional time in third mission activities.UoB established Creativity centre ten years ago and provide support for funding of creative student projects. Creativity Centre undertakes research into aspects of creativity and its effective practice and application. This is achieved through the delivery of creativity related events, sponsorship of creative projects, operation of a creativity fellowship scheme and through the administration of a centre.
  • Gordon Borer, Economic and Social Engagement unit (UOB), Business development manager, spoke about connection of academic with business, economic development and growth. UoB have Economic and Social Engagement EASE department as separate University units. In order to create proper connection between Research, economical and social engagement and enhancing learning, focus was set on collaborative research, facilities and short courses. In order to create knowledge transfer partnership were established between academic partners and business partner. UoB is more successful in fulfilling those roles than other HEI since UoB have dedicated business manager for this activities and not leaving these activities to sole academia to run. Universities should develop fully strategic programs of community engagement programs which can significantly increase engagement of university in communities, to adapt and increase reaches of their existing teaching and research programs in line with real community needs.
  • Pauline Ridley, Centre for Learning and Teaching, works with colleagues across the University of Brighton and partner colleges to improve the student learning experience. They offer informal consultancy to individuals and course teams, professional development through courses, seminars and online resources, and run a variety of events and conferences such as the Annual Learning and Teaching conference. They also undertake educational research projects, some externally funded, others internally commissioned by the University, and contribute to the development of institutional and national policy. On the second day, following speeches and presentations were held:
  • Richard Morris perspective of third mission implementation on HEI. UoB put on spotlight developing of ideas which promote design for improvement of the quality of human life. As academic is difficult to implement third mission in the course, so they organized courses which involve this mission on four different levels: research, ideation, development and launch of product. This approach is similar to real life process in development.
  • Mark Milne, held workshop about methodologies in teaching creativity and possibilities to teach people creativity and make them able override traditional approach to problem solving.
  • Clare Griffiths, presented Beepurple which is the university’s entrepreneurship network, made up of students, graduates and staff who are interested in developing their enterprise skills and/or their business ideas. This network supporting 500 students and alumni in establishing business or community support activities. They have developed entrepreneurial courses and they organize 20 workshops per year. UoB do not have Business incubator as university unit but have intensive partnership with local business incubators and co-working spaces, and students with high ambition are supported to engage in incubation processes.
  • Beth Hancock-Thomas, Student Services (UOB) and Viki Falkner Economic and Social Engagement unit (UoB) spoke about engaging students to provide support for community. Main objective is to improve student self-esteem and to support them in take active endeavors to improve community state. Program is based on volunteering. Volunteering by the opinion of students have positive impact on increased future income, building of self-esteem and creating new contacts. In order to support this activities they must be non profit and community-university partnership must exists. Partnership can include local government, health institutions, local community association or any other entity affecting local life. Students can coope rate with any one, but they priorities are set toward implementation of project addressing vulnerability and inequality problems in community.

Agenda
List of participants 26.04.2016.
List of participants 27.04.2016.
Gallery
Report