Quantifying the benefits to collaborating companies of working with groups of students on UG projects > Final project case study

Final project case study

Industry-proposed projects for undergraduate students are an excellent way of building a relationship between the University and local enterprise. Through a long history of such projects there is significant evidence that projects such as these, are extremely beneficial to students’ experience both from a learning point of view and the satisfaction of doing work that is ‘needed’. This project sought to quantify the value to the company of such projects.

An assessment was made of the value to an organisation of 8 current projects being undertaken within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The students working on these projects delivered a comprehensive design solution to a particular requirement whether this be related to a product or a process and it is anticipated that the work of the students will move the company a long way down the development path of a problem which is on their strategic agenda.

machinery

It is anticipated that data which quantifies the value to the company of engaging in this process will assist the university to pursue collaborations with local enterprise providing real data to draw on when negotiating project proposals. There is evidence that such projects can also lead to building a substantial number of relationships which in turn could lead to placements, individual research projects and graduate jobs. This project estimates that current employer-led group projects (2011-12) had a value of between £10-20k to the company. This value was based on a notional consultancy rate per hours spent by the students in assisting companies in their pursuit of innovation and/or process development. Following discussions with current project providers, a brochure has been developed outlining the estimated financial value plus other benefits to the employer which has been distributed widely. There is some evidence that the brochure may persuade employers to offer more group project work to students but only when used in conjunction with considerable follow up work.

Final project case study

Project Highlights

A key highlight of this project has been in establishing the value both financial and operationally for employers. It is clear that group projects are genuinely useful to companies and contribute to their advancement. The project outcomes suggest that participating employers recognised the quantifiable value that providing group projects to students provides to their organisation.
A further highlight was the potential of converting the brochure-contact-meeting process into a relationship that could lead to projects, placements and many other forms of collaboration.

Staff involved

Graham Outram
Project lead, University of Bath

Christine Keenan
Bournemouth University

Penny Mitchell
Bournemouth University