Building Relationships through a Corporate Partnership Network The Dublin Institute of Technology Experience

Transcription

1 Building Relationships through a Corporate Partnership Network The Dublin Institute of Technology Experience David Kirk Head of Corporate Partnerships Dublin Institute of Technology Ireland Vantaa, Finland November 2011

2 Outline of Presentation 1. Brief background on higher education system in Ireland 2. Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) 3. Industry engagement at DIT 4. Background to and development of the Corporate Partnership Network 5. How it operates 6. What we have learned 7. Next steps

3 Higher Education in Ireland 7 Universities 14 Institutes of Technology 158,200 FT Students 51,600 PT Students 85% Funding from Public Source

4 Research Spend In Ireland Civil GBAORD as a Percentage of Economic Activity (GDP/GNP) GBAORD - Government budget appropriations or outlays on R&D R&D FUNDING & PERFORMANCE IN THE STATE SECTOR , FORFAS

5 Future Strategy for Education Third level institution/industry engagement firmly on the agenda! Engagement with the wider community must become more firmly embedded in the mission of higher education institutions Outward-facing systems and structures should be embedded into institutional activity

6 Dublin Institute of Technology Established in 1887 publicly funded One of Ireland s largest and most innovative university-level institutions Autonomous degree awarding institution since 1992 Awards from Higher Certificate to Doctoral levels Offer almost 100 programmes

7 Dublin Institute of Technology 2000 members of staff 20,000 students registered Almost 20% of the student body comes from outside Ireland The 2012 Institute of Technology of the Year - Sunday Times University Guide

8 Organisation of DIT President Colleges Finance HR Research and Enterprise Academic Affairs and Registrar Student Services Public Affairs Corporate Partnership Foundation Strategic Development

9 DIT Colleges Engineering & Built Environment Sciences & Health Business Applied Arts& Tourism

10 DIT Colleges & Schools Applied Arts and Tourism Business Engineering & Built Environment Science and Health Music & Drama Art, Design and Printing Languages Media Social Sciences & Law Hospitality Management & Tourism Culinary Arts Accounting & Finance Management Marketing Retail & Services Management Graduate Business School Manufacturing & Design Electrical Engineering Systems Electronic & Communications Spatial Planning Architecture Construction Real Estate & Construction Economics Biological Sciences Chemical & Pharmaceutical Computing Mathematics Physics Food Technology Food Science & Environmental Health

11 DIT 16million research revenue Research themes aligned to interdisciplinary research institutes and research centres. Information & Communications Technologies Environmental Sustainability Food & Health Sciences New Materials & Technologies Creative Arts and Media Social, Business & Economic

12 Linking with the Wider Community Continuing Professional development Collaborative Research Student Placement Technology Transfer & Consultancy Wider Community Course Development Careers Community Links Programme Graduate Network Sponsorship

13 Who do we engage with? Industry/Professions SMEs Multinationals Indigenous Agencies Professions Representative Groups Community Community Groups Schools Universities Government & Public Organisations

14 Good,but... DIT physically fragmented (38 different locations) = Difficult communication = Some disconnect between Colleges Contacts established and managed locally and closely guarded Need for improved coordination Need for more strategic approach Lack of information flow => Inefficiencies = Missed Opportunities?

15 Key Question For the future, how could we optimise and expand existing and new industry relationships in a truly sustainable, scalable and efficient manner that offers added value to all stakeholders including students, companies, the Institute and society In considering this question, needed to go back to basics.

16 Why are we interested? Relevance and enrichment of programmes New opportunities Process knowledge Awareness Alternative funding National Strategy

17 Some Considerations Existing engagement primarily activity driven Successful engagement with industry can be challengingvaried and complex in nature Companies not always in a position to articulate needs Different environments/different languages/different timescales/different aspirations Need for pro activity within higher education organisations Resources a major concern

18 Nature of Engagement at DIT Philanthropy Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Collaborative Partnerships Research Programmes Chair Sponsorship Equipment sponsorship Customised corporate training Project partnership Consultancy Student Placement Student Sponsorship Student Prizes Conference, seminar sponsorship Attendance on CPD Programmes Guest Lectures Letters of Support Advisory boards Attendance at conference, seminars, etc Student Projects

19 Pointed to... A need to develop a ongoing dialogue A need to develop mutual understanding and trust A need to create an environment within which opportunities could be identified A need to recognise process of engagement Manage the relationship not just the activity

20 How could we achieve this? Create a framework within which relationships could be actively managed and mutually beneficial relationships established - A membership based Partnership Network of companies offering certain benefits and facilitating exploration of opportunities Reflected the approach that has been adopted in many universities across the UK and US

21 Testing the Concept Corporate Partnership Pilot Programme (CPPP) Established Autumn month pilot 16 members drawn from the tourism sector and the energy sector Objective: To explore and test suitability of the approach and inform the development of a larger Institute partnership model Early traction: leveraged an earlier DIT partnership initiative MagicTouch Participants were required to sign up to certain commitments before joining including attendance at organised partnership events

22 Testing the Concept Conducted face to face meetings Transfer of targeted information Harnessed existing DIT events Organised different networking events Gathered feedback from members Reviewed similar approaches in other Universities Completion in December 2010 Supported by collaborative Strategic Innovation Fund II project entitled Roadmap for Employer Academic Partnership of which DIT is a partner along with seven other higher education institutions.

23 CPPP Activity Summary 5 Networking Events 39 Company Meetings 94% Partner Attendance at CPPP Events 5 Non Student Placement/ Sponsorship Opportunities Memorandum of Understanding with leading energy company Customised training with tourism representative organisation PhD Student sponsorship Training accreditation Guest speaker

24 Pilot Programme Performance No Target Actual 1 15 companies signed up to CPP Pilot company meetings conducted % partner attendance at CPP events 94% 4 Scenario Planning Workshop The Futures Academy 24 th Nov CPPP Lunches hosted by DIT and attended by relevant DIT directors 6 Research Briefing: Best Practice Student Placement Model Workshop (as part of REAP and Ulysses Project) 16 th Dec 2009 & 13 th January th May Energy related event Case Study Seminar Oct 14th 8 5 Non Student Placement/ Sponsorship Opportunities 5

25 What did we learn from Corporate Partnership Pilot Programme? Positives: Proven concept Worldwide examples Very positive feedback from companies Dialogue Building understanding Value of networking events for members Appreciated opportunities to learn more about DIT activity

26 What did we learn from Corporate Partnership Pilot Programme? Companies beginning to explore new engagement activities with DIT Supports current thinking on third level education National Strategy REAP project Internal profile and interest growing

27 What did we learn from Corporate Partnership Pilot Programme? Challenges: Learning as we go! Integration across Institute - establishing an information/knowledge flow Resource allocation and management Awareness and definition of capabilities Speed wobbles! risk management

28 Establishment of Corporate Partnership Network CPPP Learning Challenges Officially Launched 2 nd June 2011 Positives DIT Corporate Partnership Network

29 DIT Corporate Partnership Network A Framework for Improved Proactive Engagement with Industry and the Professions Key Objective: To enhance proactive dialogue with industry and the professions and thereby create a trusting and supportive environment within which mutually beneficial interaction can be progressed

30 How is Objective Achieved? Establishing a Membership Based Network of Companies through which we can professionally manage Relationships leading Improved Engagement across all recognised areas of industry/higher education Student Recruitment Student Placement Research Collaboration Continuing Professional Development Staff Mentoring Case Studies Awards and sponsorship Immersion of Industry personnel into academia Programme development and participation in appropriate aspects of the QA process including School and College reviews

31 Membership of the Corporate Partnership Network Strategically targeted organisations Alignment with DIT strengths/capabilities and strategy Capacity to engage across different areas Use existing links where available Three sectors targeted in 2011 Tourism Energy /Sustainability Information and Communication Technology

32 Membership of Corporate Partnership Network Companies and organisations, both public and private Includes multinationals, SMEs and representative organisations Limited to 20 organisations in 2011 Membership is free

33 Benefits of Network to Institution Improved access to key industry partners Improved profile for DIT amongst industry and the professions Supporting regional and community development through widening participation Expansion of research opportunities

34 Benefits of Network to Institution Stress testing relevance of DIT programmes to needs of industry and the professions thus improving DIT s competitive position from an academic perspective Enhancement of existing programmes Improved graduate employment opportunities Provision of an alternative revenue stream Enhanced implementation of multidisciplinary cross cutting theme concept

35 Benefits to Member Companies - Why Join? Facilitate enhanced and informed access to a wealth of expertise and knowledge within Dublin Institute of Technology Dedicated DIT Contact - Navigation through Institute - Trouble-shooter Information Transfer - E newsletters - Event invitations - Publications

36 Benefits to Member Companies - Why Join? Collaboration Facilitation - Opportunity identification - Access to relevant DIT Expertise - Project support - Linkedin cross membership collaboration Networking Opportunities - Industry/Institute interaction - Industry/Industry interaction

37 Management of Corporate Partnership Network Primary element of the corporate partnership function Based in Office of President - Links to Graduate Network - Links to DIT Foundation - Supports contacts made by DIT President Annual action plan Shared resources

38 Corporate Partnership Network Targets 2011 Indicator Target Comment Membership 20 CPN Events 2 Tourism 14 ; Energy and Sustainability 2; ICT 4 Members Luncheon with guest speakers Breakfast Briefing Attendance at CPN Events 85% of members Communications with Member Companies Opportunities Identified, defined and transferred to relevant section of DIT 6 per year (average) 5 Incl invitations, information, publications, updates, To relevant DIT person work placement officer, Head of Research, Head of School etc

39 Corporate Partnership Network Members

40 Areas of Engagement to Date Student placement Research support Corporate training Event sponsorship And in the pipeline... Undergraduate thesis topics Programme development Facility sharing

41 Case Studies

42 A member of the Corporate Partnership Network Memorandum of Understanding signed Accreditation of BGN training facility Accreditation of training programme Sponsorship of PhD student Exploring additional research opportunities Dr Mike Murphy, Director College of Engineering and Built Environment DIT, Mr John Barry, MD Bord Gais Networks

43 ITAA wished to establish opportunities for its members to receive accredited training from an Irish institution Working with the DIT, the ITAA was officially recognised as an accredited provider of DIT programmes, having followed the official accreditation process defined by the Quality Assurance procedures of the Institute Students and Academic Staff at the conferring ceremony for the ITAA Travel Professional Higher Certificate

44 Building a Partnership Network What Have We Learned? Clear Proposition Develop Commitment Establish Dialogue Listen! Engage

45 Next Steps Build critical mass Integrate across Colleges Harness resources Address sustainability

46 Final Thought Dig your well before you need water!

47 Thank You David Kirk Head of Corporate Partnerships Dublin Institute of Technology Aungier Street Dublin 2 david.kirk@dit.ie