Business meets Education | New Business hub for 2009 Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has brought academia and business together at The Hub: a business lounge in the heart of the city. L JMU has joined forces with SOG Ltd, owners and operators of The Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn, to create ÔThe Business HubÕ - a unique business lounge in the heart of Liverpool. Membership of The Hub provides all the facilities of a traditional business lounge plus flexible access to the academic and business expertise of LJMU and SOG. Opened in January 2009, The Hub is already attracting significant interest from the business community and is set to become a vibrant focal point for business activity in and around Liverpool. Internationally renowned LJMU is proud to be one of the top universities in the country for working with businesses and the community. * As well as having a world-class reputation for academic and research excellence, LJMU is tuned in to the needs of industry and skilled at using its expertise, resources and facilities for the benefit of organisations from the public, private and third sectors. Consultancy, training and professional development, research and award-winning Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have given LJMU a reputation for successfully turning business ideas into commercial realities. Business support is tailormade and can take the form of a single event, longer term collaboration or ongoing partnership, drawing on the skills of 2,500 staff. Innovation LJMUÕs facilitation and innovation lab,ÔThe AutomaticÕ,is helping a host of organisations to achieve positive change. The stimulating environment is designed to give teams the freedom and inspiration to think in new, productive ways. Combining creative facilitation techniques with unique technologies, The AutomaticÕs custom-designed experiences deliver tangible benefits that last. Working with business A major training contract with Saudi Ports Authorities, for example, will see LJMU deliver a suite of bespoke maritime and management training programmes plus port simulation, utilising LJMUÕs 360 degree field of view shipÕs bridge simulator (unique in the UK). All courses will be preceded by an intensive English language course specially designed for maritime students. Tel. 0500 876 543 www.ljmu.ac.uk *Higher Education Business & Community Interaction Survey (HEBCIS) 2006/07