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What’s the WestFocus Knowledge Exchange (CKE)?
The WestFocus Knowledge Exchange supports and cordinates the various activities undertaken by the WestFocus members.WestFocus, a government funded consortium of seven Universities based in South and West London, and the Thames Valley, was created to help budding entrepreneurs, young companies, community groups, academics, students and alumni, and local businesses through knolwedge transfer, collaborative projects, competitions and events. It transfers skills, advice and training from the University environment to the local community, and helps to ensure that future research is directed to solving real-world problems.
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Who runs WestFocus?
WestFocus is a consortium of seven Universities - Brunel; Kingston; Roehampton; Royal Holloway, University of London; St George’s, University of London; Thames Valley; and Westminster. Day to day operation of WestFocus is under the control of an Executive Committee made up of representatives from each Consortium member. Full-time WestFocus staff are based in each of the Universities.
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I want to start my own business. How can WestFocus help?
The WestFocus Business Acceleration offers help and advice on this. If you’re a lone inventor The Virtual Company scheme, part of Business Creation, is specifically designed to assist you.
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Can WestFocus help me with funding for my business development?
WestFocus Business Creation has access to various funds available for different stages of company development. Please go to the Business Acceleration homepage for further details.
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I am a lone inventor. What can WestFocus offer me?
The Virtual Company, part of the WestFocus Business Acceleration, exists to mentor and support lone inventors. It offers a range of activities that give business direction and advice on funding and grants. See the Business Acceleration homepage for further details.
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How can WestFocus help me protect my Intellectual Property (IP)?
Specialist staff within WestFocus can offer advice and guidance on the best ways of protecting your IP. They have wide experience of guiding young companies through the various stages of spin-out/spin-in process leading to flotation. The Business Acceleration homepage has more details.
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I am an entrepreneur. Can WestFocus help me?
The Entrepreneurship Centre helps entrepreneurs and innovators in the WestFocus region to set up, run and improve their businesses through education, training, networking, competitions and masterclasses.
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How can I learn to become more innovative?
The Entrepreneurship Centre runs a number of training activities such as the Young Enterprise Graduate Programme, Enterprise Masterclasses, the Bright Ideas Workshops and Competitions, and an Enterprise Summer School. See more details on the Entrepreneurship Centre homepage.
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I need more business skills. How can WestFocus help?
The For Business web page shows a variety of ways you can follow to gain more business skills. The Entrepreneurship Centre is probably the place to start, although depending on your needs then the University Talent or Business Acceleration areas will also provide some guidance.
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I want to recruit a graduate. How can WestFocus assist me?
The WestFocus University Talent will be able to help you whether you have a job advert for permanent staff or just want a graduate or undergraduate for short-term assignments.
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I want a job after I graduate. How can WestFocus help me?
The WestFocus University Talent web site advertises current job vacancies that are updated on a daily basis. You can also sign up for regular job alerts straight into your eMail box.
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What is a Knowledge & Business Development Network (KBDN)?
The WestFocus seven WestFocus Knowledge & Business Development Networks have been established to encourage the sharing and exploitation of innovation, knowledge and skills. They provide specialist support, training, consultancy and networking opportunities for all their members, thus fostering sustainable communities of best practice in their chosen sectors. The KBDNs focus on Creative Industries, Health, ICT, Life Sciences, Materials and Manufacturing, Social Inclusion and Sustainability.
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What will WestFocus do with my personal data if I sign up for an event?
Your personal details should only be used for the WestFocus activity or event you originally signed up for. However we may from time to time contact you with additional WestFocus information and activities. Please refer to our ‘privacy’ and ‘data protection’ statements on the WestFocus homepage.
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How do I sign up for the regular WestFocus newsletter?
All that’s required is your email address - sign up on the WestFocus homepage.
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What’s an Enterprise Exchange or Centre?
Each of the WestFocus university members has an Enterprise Exchange or Centre. It is a meeting point between the worlds of education and commerce. They offer a range of complementary programmes and services that enable organisations to access existing knowledge services, expertise and resources including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)and Work Based Learning contracts leading to accredited qualifications such as Masters degrees. See the University Focus web page for more details.
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What is a Work Based Learning (WBL) contract?
Work Based Learning (WBL) is a flexible ‘learning contract’ scheme that enables the programme to be tailored specifically around your work and your organisation. By recognising the learning involved in completing work-based projects, academic credit can be obtained and a qualification awarded for the contribution you make to your organisation’s success. See the University Focus web page for more details.
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What is the KTP/STEP programme?
STEP places undergraduates into small and medium sized enterprises (less than 250 employees) and community organisations to help the host organisations address specific business development issues. It provides undergraduates with practical work experience and encourages them to develop skills in preparation for future employment after graduation. See the University Focus web page for more details.
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How do I find out what events are planned by WestFocus?
The WestFocus News & Events web page has a summary of all WestFocus events. Each KBDN and Business Unit also hosts its own events calendar.
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How do I register for a WestFocus event?
Each of the WestFocus Networks and business units have their own events registration process - please go to the appropriate homepage for further details.
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