Launching a Business School for the 21st century

Around 250 members of the North-East business community gathered at the University of Teesside in October to celebrate the launch of Teesside Business School.

The School is taking forward the pioneering work of the former School of Business & Management and the sub-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate provision has been reviewed. New courses to be offered include a Foundation Degree in Public Service Management, a BA (Hons) e-Business degree, and Masters degrees in Marketing Management, Fraud Management and Human Resource Development.

At the launch event, international opera singer and Teesside Business Studies graduate Suzannah Clarke made a spectacular appearance, with a rousing rendition of opera standards and a song from the musical Les Miserables. Suzannah graduated in 1992 and said: “I always tell people who are thinking of studying music, don’t go to music college, do business training first. A Business Studies degree has been the best foundation for a career in opera. Many of the areas I studied here such as communication skills, accountancy, presentation skills and contract law were common to both a career in business and the arts. Good training and education build confidence and create opportunities-many of them unexpected.”

Her performance was followed by speeches from the Chair of the Tees Valley Partnership, Alistair Arkley, and University Chancellor, the Rt. Hon the Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC.

Lord Brittan gave the first in what is to become the Annual Teesside Business School Lecture, and spoke on ‘Europe, the Euro and the UK’s relationship with the European Union’. He spelt out many of the benefits to the UK of joining the Euro and called for a more informed debate on the Euro, and said: “Government has to give the lead and politicians of all parties have to play their part in supporting the argument and then informed opinion, most particularly the business community, can join in. This University has a very important focus for informed opinion, we are proud of its roots with the business world, and the Business School is the biggest link of all.”

Digby Jones, the Director General of the CBI, will give the next Business School Lecture in October 2002.

Mr Arkley said that Teesside Business School, which has five newly appointed professors, would provide academic leadership in key areas, and play a major role in delivering a blueprint for the future of the Tees Valley.

“The area’s universities are ‘economic powerhouses’ of the future,” said Mr Arkley, adding: “The new Business School will provide international expertise and, through links with Further Education colleges, reach out into local communities—and help make the cultural changes needed in the Tees Valley.”

The lecture was concluded by Dr John Wilson, Teesside Business School Director, who looked forward to the next Business School annual lecture in October 2002.

Dr Wilson said: “I am confident that the Business School will have made even greater progress by October next year in fulfilling its mission in contributing to the development and the profile of Teesside. The University has a long and distinguished tradition of supporting business through business and management education and training. This tradition is now being built upon and being taken a stage further.”

A longer-term priority for Teesside Business School is to enhance its contribution to regional economic regeneration. “In addressing this issue, education and enterprise must be at the forefront of regional thinking. We are determined to make sure that Teesside Business School plays its full part in helping to transform the region,” added Dr Wilson.

For more information about Teesside Business School, contact Dr Wilson on 01642 342826, or e-mail: j.e.wilson@tees.ac.uk

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