Postgraduate students at Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) took centre stage during the University’s annual Business Challenge Week, held from 17 to 21 June. The event saw students collaborating with businesses to tackle real-world issues, culminating in a showcase of innovative solutions at the University’s Headington Campus.
The week-long event involved 45 students, including 12 from the University of Regensburg in Germany, a partner institution of Oxford Brookes. These students were tasked with developing strategies and recommendations for participating businesses, providing them with hands-on experience in addressing contemporary challenges across various industries.
Dr Karla Zimpel-Leal, Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Enterprise at Oxford Brookes Business School and organiser of the event, highlighted the significance of the initiative. “Business Challenge Week encompasses an intensive week of multidisciplinary consultancy-style projects. It’s an exciting opportunity for our postgraduate students to tackle real-world challenges head-on, make a tangible impact, gain invaluable problem-solving experience, and dive into a world of interdisciplinary challenge projects with our partner organisations,” she said.
Collaborating with Industry
The students worked closely with businesses such as BioBright, an Essex-based company that supports maritime industries in reducing CO2 emissions, and Leicester-based X&Y Fertility, which offers diagnostic tests and fertility treatments. These collaborations allowed students to apply their academic knowledge to pressing industry issues, delivering actionable insights and strategies.
Vanessa Giorgia Barzasi, Co-Founder and CEO of BioBright, praised the students for their diverse skills and innovative thinking. “It was a fantastic opportunity for BioBright to participate in Business Challenge Week. The students impressed us with their diverse skills in finance, law, marketing, and international business management. In just three days, they achieved remarkable results and provided valuable insights that helped us assess the viability of entering the Canadian market,” she said.
Bryan Woodward, CEO of X&Y Fertility, echoed this sentiment, expressing his satisfaction with the outcomes. “This was a great opportunity to meet a team of young, enthusiastic students who came together to pitch a solution to a problem in such a short period of time. Their enthusiasm was great, and I’m absolutely delighted with the final project,” Woodward remarked.
Student Experiences
For the students involved, the week was both challenging and rewarding. Sabike Tahmasebi, who is pursuing an MSc in Management and Business Analytics at Oxford Brookes, reflected on the intensity of the experience. “Coming up with a quality marketing strategy in less than a week was a supreme challenge, but working with a team of students made the week less intense. Coupled with the support of our mentors, who ensured that stress and frustrations were adequately managed with the end goal in sight, delivering a workable solution to a real-life client made the entire week worth it. We gained invaluable experience and opportunities to network with fellow students and business owners,” she said.
A Platform for Innovation
Oxford Brookes University‘s Business Challenge Week continues to serve as a vital platform for students to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. By engaging with real businesses and addressing genuine challenges, students are equipped with the skills and experience needed to thrive in their future careers, while also contributing fresh perspectives to industry partners. The success of this year’s event underscores the importance of such initiatives in fostering innovation and collaboration across disciplines and industries.