Enterprise & Innovation

Stay tuned to the Graduate School's Weekly Update and social media channels for news about other upcoming IMPACT: Local opportunities if you are interested in any of the following:

1. Understanding the local communities in Northern Ireland,
2. Working with young people living through the legacy and consequences of a postconflict society,
3. Improving educational outcomes of young people in a socio-economically deprived area.

This is a collaborative programme with local Project Partner R-City. Our students are working in multi-disciplinary teams to co-design innovative solutions to real-life challenges faced by the local community.

Find out more about CMI Entrepreneurial Practice unit here.

Stay tuned to the Graduate School's Weekly Update and social media channels for news about other upcoming opportunities to get involved in the local community.

The Holyland is an inner-city residential area located in South Belfast. It commonly refers to the area enclosed between Queen’s University, the banks of the River Lagan, Ormeau Road and University Street. In the 1950s, the Holyland was home to a predominately working-class family oriented community.  In the 1990s there was a dramatic demographic shift, consisting of a large population of students and migrants which has caused significant problems with community cohesion, littering and antisocial behaviour. While there have been a number of urban regeneration projects in the area, the relationship between long-term residents and the new student and migrant population remains dysfunctional. 

As part of this team, you will develop many transferable skills, such as teamwork, project management and effective communication that you could apply to both your research and future employment. You will be taking an idea right through to the implementation phase and will be involved in supporting the local community. 

Through participating in CMI: Entreprenuerial Practice our students discovered that perceptions of living in the Holyland need addressed, students and parents need educated on housing rights and accommodation standards, government and Universities need to focus policies on tackling crime and community cohesion must be developed.

The purpose of this certificate is to transform some of the brightest scholars in these institutions into energetic and resourceful entrepreneurial thinkers. The certificate is comprised of several modules, covering topics such as Opportunity Generation and Recognition, Financing Your New Venture and Creative Thinking and Innovation.

The modules focus on problem-based learning within multi-disciplinary teams. The Innovation Academy also encourages students to engage in a real-life challenge facing an organisation, for which they are asked to propose an innovative solution.

Whether you have a desire to start something, an idea you want to test, or you're ready to take a leap with an established business plan, this is the place to get personalised guidance, signposting and advice.

Please visit MyFuture to make an appointment with our entrepreneurship mentor.

This may be extended for a further 12 months subject to satisfactory progress on the scheme. You will get one to one support from us to mentor and support you on the journey of establishing your own business, along with key contacts and networking opportunities.

For more information on the requirements of this programme please visit the International Student Support site.