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University of Portsmouth students honoured for wind farm work

University of Portsmouth students honoured for wind farm work

A team of University of Portsmouth business students has been honoured for its contribution to the region’s offshore wind farm industry as part of an Apprentice-style challenge.

The group was chosen as the winner from almost 50 student teams for helping a local boat company achieve breakthroughs in maritime support systems.

Team Dynamic — comprised of Connor Harvey, Man Sun Leung, Jia Hng Khoh, Tsz Cheuk Fung, and Charlie Clark – worked as consultants with Nauti Powerboats and Yachts Ltd. for a period of five months.

They were presented with a trophy and a £500 prize at a showcase and networking event at Portsmouth Business School, having been nominated by Nauti owner Paul Duffield.

Mr. Duffield said: “The team excelled themselves by demonstrating eagerness to take on an area that was difficult and unfamiliar to them.

“They produced first-class research and presentations, and the project is leading to massive savings for our clients and to additional productivity in the offshore wind industry.

“We also will be saving thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions from the support vessels and increasing green energy production from the turbines.”

Team leader Connor Harvey, a Finance and Management student, said: “We enjoyed working as a team with maritime industry experts, creating a solution that will save them millions of pounds. This project has given me lots of real-world experience that will help me get a job.”

Second prize was awarded to Team Enygma for a project improving sales and marketing at The Pyramids Centre. Third prize went to Team BlueSky for helping rebrand and market creative learning activities for the New Theatre Royal.

Each year, teams of final-year students on Business Studies degree courses undertake a live consultancy project, called Business Enterprise, working with a local organisation.

The teams bid against a project brief, agree the aim, develop a plan, research the business problem, and propose practical solutions. The students put into practice the theory learned in the classroom, and develop team-working, communications and consulting skills, helping to boost their employability.

Senior Lecturer Peter Wainwright, Business Enterprise Coordinator, said: “This year, we have had 270 students working in nearly 50 teams as consultants with local organisations in the private, public and third sectors.

“It has been great to see the students developing practical business skills in the work environment.”

The University of Portsmouth’s Business School holds a coveted Silver Award in the Small Business Charter, in recognition of its skill, commitment and promise in helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow, and in providing students with start-up support.