2nd December 2008

Email this Page |

A trip to a US university that is world-renowned for entrepreneurship education has proved to be a life-changing experience for Ulster students working in the agri-food industry.

As part of Ulster’s partnership with Babson College in Boston, students of the MSc in Agri-Food Business Development completed an intensive four-day programme on Entrepreneurial Transformation in Agri-Food Business at the leading institution.

The students, who are all professionals in the industry, said that the lessons learned from their time at Babson will benefit the development of the industry in Northern Ireland.

Dr Gillian Armstrong, from the Ulster Business School's Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, said: "The Babson College workshop provided a dynamic and thought-provoking learning experience. The workshop and opportunity to experience an entrepreneurial culture first hand has been motivational to participants and will undoubtedly enhance the skill set and behaviour towards business development within the Northern Ireland agri-food industry."

Through a challenging and interactive programme, participants explored entrepreneurial transformation and leadership both within the classroom setting and by visiting a range of US agri-food businesses including Agar Supply, the largest independent foodservice distributor in New England, and Ocean Spray Cranberries corporate head quarters in Massachusetts.

Participants from companies such as Dunbia, H. Denny and Sons (NI) Ltd, Dale Farm, Moyallon Foods, United Molasses, Foyle Chipping, the Food and Drink Training Council and various small and medium enterprises within agri-food in NI completed the Babson workshop and are working towards the MSc qualification, supported by DARD and FSIP.

Jillian Dougan, Masters' student and Managing Director of speciality meat processing company Moyallon Foods Ltd, said: "Everyone took so much from the trip. It taught us so much in terms of positivism in being entrepreneurial. It completely changed my mindset and mental attitude about where I want my business to go. It wasn't at all highlighting that there were problems that needed fixed, but rather having confidence to push on with the strategies and ideas already within the company."

Malcolm Emery, Managing Director of a new business, The One Switch, said: "For an SME owner manager like me it was inspiring. I was allowed to practice what I think I know, have it challenged, and make a mistake and all without having to worry about the consequences. If the chance presents itself to participate in a programme like this I would highly recommend it and for the agri-food group it was the culmination of two enjoyable years of the MSc programme at Ulster."

The academic staff within the Ulster Business School also felt that there were lessons to be learned in relation to executive education.

Heather Farley, from the Ulster Business School’s Department of Management, said: "It makes for a terrific learning experience, both for staff and students, when you're immersed in a different country, culture and business school, for a week.  The Babson teaching style was excellent, particularly in their approach to case study work for this type of course, where the student is taken on a journey, from paper-based case material through to interviewing actual employees/board members of the organisation, making site visits, analysing real-time issues and generating future strategies. It's a great way to learn."

Expressions of interest are now being sought for the Agri-Food Business Development Programme, which will commence again in January 2009.

For further information contact: Dr Gillian Armstrong on: 028 90366472 or email ga.armstrong@ulster.ac.uk

 

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter