Oxford Brookes Business Challenge Week 2021

Oxford Brookes Business Challenge Week 2021

Last week Oxford Brookes Business School and the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment hosted a week of activities.

These saw Oxford Brookes Master’s students bringing their skills, ideas and perspectives together to address real-world problems brought to us by organisations and businesses in the Brookes community.

Select teams of students from both faculties worked with academic mentors and the ten participating partner companies, to bring a blend of experience and abilities to the tasks put forward.

Amongst the challenges addressed were:

  • Business analysis of problems or opportunities
  • Background research and fact-finding
  • The creation of business solutions, prototypes or action plans
  • Client reports and recommendations

Grant Hayward of the Oxfordshire social Enterprise Partnership (and chair of the judging panel) commented: “it is so positive to see Oxford Brookes students working with local businesses and organisations in this way. The input of students from so many different subject areas and disciplines, skills and cultures, working together in teams with their mentors and partner companies can only have a positive impact whilst creating powerful cross-sector collaborations and relationships.”

Participating organisations were similarly supportive about the Challenge Week concept and outcomes, commenting that:

This week has provided a valuable insight into other applicable markets and countries.

All in all, I was very impressed both with the organisational aspect of the challenge and the student involvement itself.

It's a fantastic template ... this feels like a time to get the students' new thinking as well as the facilities of the University applied to business as quickly as possible, rather than waiting a few years until they reach sufficient seniority in organisations!

One student described the week as “A perfect experience”, with a noting saying:

This valuable opportunity has indeed enhanced my understanding of what I have learned from the class and enabled me to apply knowledge into practice.

The Challenge Week was led by Dr Paul Jackson from Oxford Brookes Business School, with support from a range of colleagues in both participating faculties.