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MMU 'miles ahead of other universities'

New Business School gets rave reviews

Ruth Ashford and Miceal Barden celebrate the new Faculty of Business and Law

PROFESSIONALS from all over the North West gave the new Business School and Student Hub their seal of approval last week.

Around 200 business people attended the launch of the Faculty of Business and Law and showcase the new £75m building to the professional community.

Representatives from dozens of professional partners, from multinationals to SMEs were in attendance along with organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Attendees were given a tour of the school upon arrival with many saying how impressed they were with the standard of facilities:

Stunning

“It’s an absolutely stunning building,” said Eamonn Bell of Campanile Hotels. “I had seen it from the Mancunian way but it’s even more impressive from the inside.”

John Buckley from the Federation of Small Businesses said: “I’m a cynical person, but I’d struggle to find anything wrong with it. It’s fantastic for MMU and is miles ahead of anything any other universities in the area have got.”

Others commented on the significance of the building in terms of the university’s strategic vision: “The facilities for students are mind-blowing,” said David Fox of John Smiths Group. “We work in the Higher Education sector so I see a lot of universities and this building seems like a real statement of intent, a demonstration of confidence in the future.”

Drinks and canapés were served giving guests the chance to network before being welcomed by Dean Professor Ruth Ashford.

Inspiring surroundings

Ruth spoke of the inspirational learning and teaching environment something which was echoed by former student Tom Bolton who represents global marketing communications firm McCann Erickson: “I am absolutely gutted that I graduated last year, this building is awesome, it makes me want to do a Masters.

“I would be so motivated if I was studying here, I would be interested to see the impact moving to this building has on students’ grades.”

Marketing guru Dr Dave Chaffey gave the keynote speech and was made a Faculty Honorary Practitioner in Digital Marketing at the event.

Dean Ruth Ashford said: “I was delighted to welcome so many members of the North West business community into our new world-class building.

Commercial opportunties

“It’s a significant investment in our aim to be a leading modern business and law school and working with commercial partners is a vital part of this.”

Head of the Manchester Law School Miceal Barden said merging with the Business School was a natural move: “Professional services and law are increasingly linked in the employment world so our working together offers opportunities for more collaborations and joint courses between business and law.”

Published Tuesday, 18th September 2012