Research and Innovation Services (RIS), a directorate within the University of Dundee, are undertaking a unique student internship project to address how local SMEs can be supported better by the University.
The project, which will be managed by a group of second-year Business Management students from the School of Business, will identify the innovation ambitions of businesses within the Tayside region and subsequently establish ways in which the University of Dundee can support these businesses in bringing their ambitions to fruition.
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) work to bring together academia, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other organisations from the region, to focus on innovation.
How can the University of Dundee support local SMEs?
The University of Dundee has a wealth of academic resource, knowledge and expertise that SME’s can tap into to improve their offering. They also have state of the art facilities, such as equipment, labs and machinery that many businesses do not have in house. Through various innovation schemes, these resources and facilities can be used by local SMEs to test, develop and improve their offerings.
Margaret Teven, Head of Innovation and Operations at the University said “We are keen to ensure that all local businesses are aware of the University resources that are on their doorstep and to encourage them to use them. This project will equip us with knowledge and understanding of local businesses planning to innovate so that we can work in partnership with them to support them.”
The students will be using the introductory system through the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce to contact organisations.
If you are a local SME looking to solve business challenges, improve your offering and increase your profits please get involved in this project.
If you have any questions or comments about this project, or if you’d like to talk to the University about your specific business innovation ideas, please get in touch with our Regional Engagement Programmes manager, Ailsa Cormie acormie001@dundee.ac.uk.
University of Dundee
Nobel Prize winning poet and honorary graduate Seamus Heaney has described the University of Dundee as ‘having its head in the clouds and its feet firmly on the ground.’ The ability to be both aspirational and down-to earth and to blend ground-breaking intellectual achievement with practical applications, has given the University its distinctive character.
