HELP Academy (HA) teamed up with the University of Derby (UOD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to organize the first International Study Trip to the UOD UK campus. Our Malaysian and international students spent a week at the University and completed the 1st Student Leadership Challenge sponsored by CMI.
The purpose of the trip was to provide a comprehensive yet enjoyable learning experience to our UOD students and has been identified as one of the main highlights in the DOMS departmental plan. A total of 37 students from UOD who are currently pursuing their BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance and BA (Hons) Business Management shared this experience with other University partners from London Business School (UK), Mediterranean College (Greece) and BAC – International Educational Pathway (Bangladesh).
After an interesting morning lecture on the topic of International Entrepreneurs on the second day of the trip, all of the students were welcomed by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor John Withby. He was also there to witness the 1st Student Leadership Challenge by CMI. The students were briefed on the CMI Student Leadership Challenge by Alexander Cowan Wright-Wright, Head of Corporate Communication and Marketing. They were tasked with finding solutions to today’s companies’ productivity challenges and communicating with the stakeholders, as widely as possible via social media. After a series of training on social media and research ideas, students were divided into smaller working groups and started their CMI Challenge Research.
During the final day of the trip, the students presented their solutions back to a panel of judges made up of academics from UOD, CMI Staff and special business guest judges from manufacturing, logistics and consultancy specialists. HELP Academy proved its quality with 4 teams in the grand finale and secured the 1st CMI Student Leadership Challenge with a First, Second and Third Place Winner.
Besides participating in the Student Leadership Challenge, tours to the Rolls Royce Heritage Centre, EPM Technology and Derby Museum and Art Gallery were included. The group also visited Kedleston and the Buxton campus and were warmly welcomed by the respective campus staff.
Rasmit Singh, who is currently pursuing his BA (Honours) Business Management, said that the trip allowed him to meet counterparts in the UK as well as immersing himself in the UK student life. “The University of Derby is a beautiful, modern campus with excellent facilities and friendly staff in the city of Derby. Derby is also near major cities such as Manchester and London and a stone’s throw away from Nottingham and Birmingham, which meant that I was able to explore and see more of the UK.” .