A dedicated resource centre for Business Information Systems students at UCC was officially opened today, in partnership with Accenture Ireland. The ‘BIS Knowledge Hub’ will provide undergraduate and post graduate students with access to the latest industry information and research across an array of academic topics applicable to their studies, as well as provide a practical space for learning.
The ‘BIS Knowledge Hub’ is the result of collaboration between Accenture and UCC’s Business Information Systems group, to provide students with convenient access to industry research and reports. The ‘Hub’ will also provide students with a physical study space, incorporating the latest electronic information as well as conventional printed books and journals to support activities relating to further learning and developing greater business insight.
In addition to the establishment of this Hub, Accenture has also committed to coaching and preparing BIS students for career opportunities by way of guest lectures and CV and interview skills workshops, to be conducted throughout the academic year.
Onsite resources available at the ‘BIS Knowledge Hub’ will include:
· Networked desktop computers
· Research space with network connection facilities
· Student and lecture meeting spaces
· Access to related online electronic journals, case studies, research white papers and global thought leadership studies across an array of topics.
Professor Ciaran Murphy, Head of BIS at UCC said “Despite a downturn in the economy, there is still a huge demand for BIS graduates and Accenture represents the biggest employer of BIS graduates in an Irish context. We think that the Knowledge Hub is hugely important and it speaks to the close relationship that we have with Accenture. We have always said to our students that it is simply not enough to rely on theory, theory needs to be augmented by real practical examples and we are confidant that the BIS Knowledge Hub will go a long way towards achieving that goal. We can talk about innovation happening in elsewhere in the world, but we regard this centre as being a tangible example of innovation. It demonstrates how the relationship between university and business can be strengthened. The Knowledge Hub will provide new experiences for students and new ways of learning. Our mission is to change the lives of students by challenging them and showing them that they can be the best in the world. One of the ways we can do this is to expose students to international best practice and this centre will certainly help us to do that.
Mark Ryan, Country Managing Director, Accenture Ireland said, “This initiative fits with Accenture’s overall Graduate Recruitment programme, which is to maintain an active presence in tertiary institutions right across Ireland, who provide a constant pipeline of talent to our workforce annually. Last year we recruited approximately 60 graduates into the company and this year we hope to increase that number to around 80. Over the years, many BIS students have gone on to work for our company, in Ireland and abroad, and we’re delighted to be strengthening our relationship with UCC and the BIS in particular through the development of the BIS Knowledge Hub”.
“People are the lifeblood of our business and that’s why we take an active interest in their academic life, and the skills that will equip them for the business world. In fact, just this month we announced that UCC Business Economics student, Padraig Horan, won our annual Accenture Leaders of Tomorrow Award for 2011, which will see him embarking on a six month Internship with our company. Padraig’s achievement is a positive endorsement of the high quality graduates UCC is producing. Also Donnacha McCarthy and Denis Murphy, both 3rd year BIS students, recently started their six month placement with Accenture and we’re glad to be assisting BIS in this regard,” said Ryan.
UCC students should contact Carole O’Brien for further information, Ph. 021- 4903829
