Engaging Students in Knowledge Exchange
This University of Plymouth project explored the impact of student involvement in knowledge exchange
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Access to Knowledge Exchange is one of the biggest unique benefits of being a student at University of Plymouth.
Knowledge Exchange happens every time students connect with businesses and communities to apply the skills being developed on their course, out in the real world. It’s a term we use to describe many activities including, internships, short-term live briefs, student enterprise and on-going projects in collaboration with partner organisations.
Discover the available resources
Created with students, for students, these online courses provide key skills training to thrive in any knowledge exchange or professional opportunity.
Key priorities for the Engaging Students in Knowledge Exchange project:
The Engaging Students in Knowledge Exchange project is building on existing and highly successful KE projects within The University of Plymouth, with a drive toward understanding and maximising the benefit to students engaging in KE activity with business and community partners.
The University of Plymouth is one of only twenty Higher Education providers which have been awarded funding from the Office for Students and Research England’s funding competition, designed to explore the impact of student involvement in knowledge exchange.
Community Impact of Student Knowledge Exchange
Knowledge Exchange delivered by students has a direct and powerful impact on the businesses and organisations that they work with. The skills, knowledge and experience within their subject area that students bring can help businesses to innovate and grow (for example, through the development of new products and services), increase their productivity and resilience.
This longitudinal evaluation will assess the impact on a variety of stakeholders and find ways for us to expand the most significant activity.
By developing resources to support students to engage with Knowledge Exchange we are creating an environment in which knowledge exchange can thrive, students (and the academics working with them) will be equipped with the expertise and confidence needed to ensure every opportunity to exchange knowledge outside of the University, as well as between disciplines, is maximised.
This project enables students to take an active role in the exchange of knowledge, drawing on their subject specialism and lived experience. It helps students recognise the value of their contribution and understand their capacity for positive change by instilling compassion, care and a sense of social justice alongside business acumen. In the process, they are benefitting those they work with, while investigating the notion of meaningful work and contributing to the wider creative and cultural sector’s economic activity.
Read how our funded internships have shaped futures
Case Study: Ocean 3D Virtual Internship
The iMayflower funded virtual internship enabled Chris Wood and Julian Whatley to create an inclusive experience for people with a variety of needs
As part of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Businesses’ commitment to experiential learning, and in recognition of the importance of work experience to employment success, the university already works with students in a number of ways to deliver KE. These include, work placements, studentships and fellowships, Start-up Weekends and project live briefs. This project seeks to connect, consolidate and expand existing initiatives and share good practice between them.
There are a multitude of benefits for the students involved in these activities, including: increased confidence, exposure to professional working culture, improved time management, team working, expanded knowledge of career options, networking skills and increased motivation. This project aims to identify how to maximise and build upon these benefits to share with other Higher Education institutions and create more opportunities for students.