The University of Derby and Unipart have signed a partnership agreement to facilitate new opportunities for students.
The partnership is aimed at driving sustainable growth and developing skills and innovation for sustainable supply chains.
Headquartered in Oxford, Unipart is a supply chain performance improvement partner with more than 50 years of heritage, providing solutions to customers across multiple sectors in 22 countries.
The three-year partnership will foster collaborative working, strengthen links between industry and education, and support both organisations in their ambitions to grow and evolve their operations.
Opportunities will include a three-year fully-funded PhD studentship, graduate schemes, student placements, and insight from Unipart experts.
This insight concern developing graduate attributes and skills for the future workforce, and sustainable and digital practices across operations and supply chains.
A key feature of the collaboration is its alignment with the University’s Institute of Carbonomics, which focuses on driving sustainable business and environmental impact through research and education.
The agreement further strengthens the University’s growing network of global industry collaborations, building on existing partnerships with organisations including McDonald’s UK&I to address complex operational and sustainability challenges.
The partnership will also reinforce the University’s civic mission, addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges across the region, as well as supporting initiatives to reduce energy use and help the University meet its sustainability targets.
University of Derby vice-chancellor and chief executive, professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Unipart through this strategic agreement.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, industry engagement, and positive civic impact.
“By working together, we will create meaningful opportunities for our students, staff, and the wider community, while advancing our ambition to deliver sustainable growth and maximise the impact of our work with industry.”
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