Creating a real world of opportunity through a virtual trading estate

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Creating a real world of opportunity through a
virtual trading estate

• Kevin Bowman
• Computing Portfolio Director
• Simon Brown
• Director for Enterprise Teaching and Learning

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This Presentation
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Computing Perspective

• Introduction of Foundation Degrees 2002
• Requirement for Work Based Learning
• Difficult for computing employers reluctant
• Some early disasters
• Call Centre high staff turnover
• Data Centre in Rotherham inappropriate work
• Health IT Company low pass rate

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Plan A

• Ghost Company IT Consultants
• Problems
• Just Computing
• Start from scratch
• Partner colleges not involved
• Few resources
• Plan B Abdul and the VM
• Revalidated last year with VM built in to key
  modules

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Welcome to the Venture Matrix
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What is the Venture Matrix?

• The venture matrix is an interactive 'trading
  estate' of virtual and real companies.

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What is it?

• http//venturematrix.shu.ac.uk
• Let your obsession become your profession

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Our Mission is to

• support learning through experience.
• develop autonomous and highly employable
  graduates equipped for the career of their
  choice.
• provide a framework for innovation and the
  development of creative ideas and opportunities
  which are socially and commercially diverse.
• increase the numbers of successful graduate
  start-ups, particularly in the region.

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Virtual companies are formed within courses to
allow students to

• try out creative ideas of enterprise and
  entrepreneurship in a safe environment.
• have a realistic work related experience suited
  to their study.
• access the diversity of learning and skill of
  other Venture Matrix companies.
• enhance communication skills and cooperation by
  working with others towards common goals.
• understand their potential through self appraisal
  and evaluation.
• communicate and work with external companies as
  the Venture Matrix expands.
• benefit by the value generated in their trading
  experience.

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How we started...

• Opportunities were gathered from within the
  University and a limited number of external
  businesses.
• Student groups formed ventures to consider these
  or as year went on - their own Opportunities.
• To trade all student ventures had to apply to
  join the VM.
• Once approved they were funded and registered
  on the VM web site
• Each had to create their own USP and compete
  for business in emerging world
• On 5th Nov there was the first "trade show" where
  groups networked and established small consortia.
• Ventures bid for "funding" to develop their
  solutions.

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Trade Show 5th Nov 07
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Achieved within Pilot year 07/08

• The VM pilot engaged students (approx 500) from
  all 4 faculties operating within an emerging
  structure. Being determined and built by the
  students.
• Foundation degree students computing
• UG students 1st, 2nd and final year Business,
  Technology, Media, Communications, Computing,
  Sport, Law and Engineering

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How we worked and organised ourselves

• Students at different levels of study (generally)
  adopted different roles e.g.
• Final years acted as the strategic managers
• They developed the big projects and selected
  project managers etc
• Second years adopted the role of project managers
• They bid for projects and employed workers
• Compiled outputs and delivered to their clients
• First years acted as the workers in the world
• Over time students will progress through the VM
  and adopt the various roles organisations
  demonstrate

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Next year

• External organisations can apply to join our VM
  as associate or corporate members.
• This will allow them to access the world by
  offering "learning opportunities" for student
  groups.
• It is hoped that external organisations would
  offer greater levels of support to the students
  than they would to commercial providers.
• Local schools or colleges can join and offer
  their students a taste of enterprise.