New partnership between Solent University and the Chamber
Hampshire SMEs, business start-ups, students and the region as a whole are set to benefit from an exciting new partnership between Southampton Solent University (SSU) and the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce (HCC).
Professor Mike Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent and Jimmy Chestnutt, Chief Executive of the Chamber, formally recognised the enterprising new partnership at an official signing on Tuesday 19 October at the University’s Showcase Gallery.
Through the partnership accord, both SSU and HCC have agreed to an annual action plan that includes: collaborative support for start-ups and SMEs; economic analysis of the region and graduate internships at the Chamber for Solent graduates.
On signing the partnership agreement, Jimmy Chestnutt, who had just been awarded an honorary degree from the university during the afternoon’s graduation ceremony, said: “This accord is yet another example of the productive and active partnership that exists between Hampshire Chamber and Southampton Solent University and the university’s determination to be at the centre of the business life of the city. By working closely with the Chamber and its members Southampton Solent University knows what business wants and it produces what business needs. The Chamber and its members benefit by working with talented and enthusiastic interns and by seeing for themselves the quality of graduates produced by Southampton Solent.”
This is the latest in a series of partnership accords that the University has signed with regional education and business organisations including: Business South, B&Q, The Ageas Bowl and Fareham College.
“We are delighted to develop an already close working relationship with the Chamber into this strategic partnership,” said Professor Mike Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University.
“We look forward to adding to a creative and dynamic range of initiatives, events and joint projects that will help businesses succeed by supporting start-ups and SMEs, retain the region’s graduates by creating exciting jobs and promote economic growth for the city and Hampshire.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students.
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