training & education 161 University University of Kent Working in partnership with a top, research-driven university can help organisations gain competitive advantage. Kent Business School is the University of KentÕs largest department, creating value for organisations around the world from campuses in Canterbury, Medway and Brussels. The Business School focus is on researching and innovating business and management processes, sharing knowledge with future generations of managers, developing managers of today and adding value to businesses both locally and globally. The Centre for Employment, Competitiveness and Growth has launched a ground-breaking project aimed at enhancing the business performance of up to 300 companies throughout the county. The Centre plays a key role in bringing the University and the business world together, with the ultimate goal of improving business productivity and efficiency. The Centre for Supply Chain Research also hosts The dunnhumby Academy of Consumer Research. This is a unique model which employs industry-funded young researchers to provide market insight using data from UKÕs largest supermarket database. Kent Business School has expertise in: ¥ Accounting and Finance ¥ Agri -Environmental Economics ¥ Food Marketing and Supply Chain Management ¥ Management Science and Operations Research ¥ Organisational Performance and Employment Relations ¥ Strategy and International Business The University offers a wide range of degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Being a research-driven university means that students are encouraged to challenge assumptions and think for themselves which, together with other skills, make them highly employable. Most of the degree programmes give students the opportunity to do a placement year in industry. The experience of companies ranging from large corporations like BP or IBM to smaller SMEs is that Kent students are a valuable contribution to the workplace and companies often choose to retain talent by offering them a job after graduation. The Kent MBA is an AMBA accreditation programme, which is available in an Òemployer-friendlyÓ modular format. Participants are required to do a business consultancy project which will benefit their organisations. The Kent Leadership Programme, an initiative of Kent County Council, offered in partnership with Tanaka Business School, is helping create a new leadership culture in Kent and beyond for key players in the public, private and third sectors. The Business School has an excellent track record in Executive Education and in designing training packages which may include areas such as performance management, crisis management or strategic planning. It also taps into expertise from other areas of the University to create a unique offering for businesses in Kent. www.kent.ac.uk No. 1 university in London and the South East of England National Student Survey 2007 Kent Business School has provided management training programmes to companies worldwide since 1989 International expertise and cuttingedge research creates added value for organisations 161