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30 June 2014 15:00

Event that places real business problems in the hands of innovative students returns to Somerset.

The annual ‘Mega Brainstorm’ event that sees students tackle real business issues is seeking an experienced facilitator to co-ordinate three ‘Student Challenges’ across Somerset.

The event forms part of Open Innovation - a project involving partners across the EU, including Edinburgh, London, Belgium, France and Germany. Locally, the Open Innovation partnership consists of Plymouth University and Somerset County Council.

There are several colleges in Somerset that might participate in this initiative: Frome, Yeovil, Somerset, Richard Huish and West Somerset Community College. The event was first run in 2013 where three Somerset colleges (Frome, Yeovil and Somerset College) ran pilot ‘Student Challenge’ events.

Invitation to tender An experienced co-ordinator is required to deliver the three two-day ‘brainstorm’ events (from September to October 2014) whereby students at colleges address real local business issues using a variety of ‘brainstorm’ techniques and pitch results back to the business and/or a panel of experts. Six student participants from across the colleges will then be chosen to represent Somerset at the ‘Mega Brainstorm’ event in Gent, Belgium on the 24th - 25th November 2014 (the facilitator needs to arrange this and accompany the participants).

The full requirements of the tender are available below.

For further information – please contact either Rich Adams at [email protected] or John Carter [email protected]

Summary:

An experienced facilitator/co-ordinator is required to co-ordinate three ‘Student Challenge’ events across Somerset which will involve three two-day ‘brainstorm’ events (from September to October 2014) whereby students at colleges address real local business issues using a variety of ‘brainstorm’ techniques and pitch results back to the business and/or a panel of experts. Six student participants from across the colleges will then be chosen to represent Somerset at the ‘Mega Brainstorm’ event in Gent, Belgium on the 24th – 25th November 2014 (the facilitator needs to arrange this and accompany the participants).

Background:

This project forms part of ‘Open Innovation’ Project which is an Interreg IVB initiative with a range of partners across the EU, including Edinburgh, London, Belgium, France and Germany (see: www.openinnovationproject.eu ). The local partnership consists of Plymouth University and Somerset County Council. There are several colleges in Somerset that might participate in this initiative: Frome, Yeovil, Somerset, Richard Huish and West Somerset Community College. The ‘Mega Brainstorm’ is an annual event (see: http://www.competento.be/events/voka-mega-brainstorm ) and in 2013 three Somerset colleges (Frome, Yeovil and Somerset college) ran pilot ‘Student Challenge’ events.

Requirements for tender response:

A full breakdown of costs to co-ordinate the events (including liaising with colleges; running the local ‘challenge’ events; travel and accommodation arrangements)

A method statement, detailing the approach of the facilitator in planning, delivering and monitoring the effectiveness of the events (including milestones and schedule)

A summary of relevant skills and experience of the facilitator (including references) which will provide evidence that the facilitator has the appropriate skills to deliver this project.