Small Business Charter Award
Dublin City University Business School has retained the Small Business Charter Award following a successful reassessment.
The assessor panel were particularly impressed with the school’s continued contribution to the development of opportunities for SMEs in the local area, through a comprehensive range of learner focused, immersive initiatives such as the Go Global for Growth Programme and the Family Business Continuity workshops. Feedback for these events was overwhelmingly positive, with participants commenting that they appreciated the opportunities for continued networking post-event.
Further to this, DCU Business School offers support for SMEs through integrated, onsite incubator facilities, created in partnership with the Centre for Executive and International Education, the National Centre for Family Business, and the Irish Institute of Digital Business. Extensive support for entrepreneurs is provided via the Early-Stage Entrepreneurs, FUSION, and New Ventures programmes, all of which are consistently fully subscribed.
The school presented a comprehensive account of a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with local SMEs, from specific mentor support for those considering business start-up, to Hackathon Challenges focused on enabling students to consider opportunities for social change. Students are also able to participate in the INTRA programme, which facilitates 9- and 12-month placement opportunities, with Practicum opportunities available for students who wish to work on real-life business problems within a business.
The Small Business Charter Award is an accreditation assessed by small business leaders, to recognise business schools which demonstrate excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and the local economy. Dublin City University Business School will hold the award for a further 5 years. There are 60 business schools that hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.
Anne Kiem OBE, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“We congratulate Dublin City University Business School for retaining its Small Business Charter Award. They have remained committed to supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship and the local economy. The work that the school do to help businesses grow and to support students into entrepreneurship is having a demonstrable positive impact on businesses and entrepreneurs within its regional economy.”
Colm O’Gorman, Executive Dean of Dublin City University Business School said:
“DCU Business School is delighted that we have maintained our prestigious Small Business Charter accreditation from the Chartered Association of Business Schools. This accreditation recognises our close collaborations with ambitious Irish small and medium sized enterprises, with Irish family businesses, with the Irish entrepreneurial ecosystem, and our broader engagement with both Irish and multinational enterprises. Close industry connections underpin the school’s focus on ensuring that our graduates are work ready and that our internationally recognised research impacts on organisational successes and managerial practice.”