Students
at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have been working alongside a community
project to come up with their innovative solutions to transform Aberdeen’s most
famous street as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Our
Union Street have collaborated with RGU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group
(EIG) to enable students the opportunity to set out their own unique visions
for the future of the Granite Mile.
The
event, held on Wednesday, November 15, was chaired by Bob Keiller from Our Union
Street, an organisation dedicated to transforming the city centre alongside the
council, businesses, and residents.
The
challenge is as part of Level 2 of the RGU Innovation Award, an
extra-curricular micro-credential programme designed by the University to build
student competencies in being able to respond to disruption, participate in the
process of innovation, and develop design solutions.
It
ties in with RGU’s strategic aim on economic, social and cultural development
with a particular focus on fostering a vibrant culture of enterprise among our
students, staff and wider communities the University engages with.
Teams
were tasked with working together to brainstorm and develop ideas before
presenting to the rest of the group and Mr Keiller.
Visual
water displays, interactive tourist information and a virtual showcase of
Scottish landscapes, gardens, and plants were among the ideas students came up
with to revitalise Union Street.
Startup
Manager at the University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group, Aisha Kasim,
said: “This was a brilliant event and the ideal opportunity for our students to
apply their ideas to helping revitalise an area of Aberdeen. It was so exciting
to see the enthusiasm from the groups about the possibility of transforming the
city centre and it was great to work alongside Our Union Street on this
project.”
Bob
Keiller, from Our Union Street, said: "Collaborating with RGU on the Our
Union Street Innovation Award Level 2 workshop was a fantastic exercise. Over
the course of just an afternoon, the students generated some exciting and
diverse ideas on what we may be able to show on Our Union Street. We have
everything from forests to oceans to local attractions to showcasing the
world's best books."
Jair
Detsch, Student Enterprise Coordinator, added: "I was delighted to see the
cross-disciplinary working between the teams on this community focused
challenge."
The
RGU Innovation Award is open to any student and split into three levels with
participants able to start and stop at any time. Those who complete the award
gain a full award certificate which will be noted on their Higher Education
Achievement Record (HEAR).
If
your organisation would like to be involved in future RGU Innovation Award
challenges, please contact innovation@rgu.ac.uk.