SIP offers an excellent paid- for opportunity to build strong, strategic relationships between Swansea University, business and organisations.  The placements can act as a springboard for ideas, where both parties are allowed valuable thinking time to explore their relationship and develop opportunities for projects after the placement has ended.

Essential to its success, SIP placements depend on the right match between a business and staff at Swansea University. Placements can be in the business or the reverse with the business coming into the university.

Fast facts

• Up to £2500 is available for any member of university staff to spend quality time developing new and strategic relationships with business, organisations and public sector
• Over 40 placements between Swansea University, businesses and organisations have already taken place, surpassing original expectations and targets
• The programme has been extended to July 2014!

Examples of SIPs at Swansea University:

College of Human and Health Science and Morriston Hospital

The College of Human and Health Science and Morriston Hospital developed outcomes including: a student placement programme at the hospital, Morriston Hospital staff acting as guest lecturers on the  MA Developmental and Therapeutic Play programme, a collaborative research project on the perceptions of the play service and collaborative work on a chapter for a forthcoming book.

College of Engineering and Wales Rugby Union

The aim of the placement was to develop activities to benefit the fitness and health of young people playing in the rugby union, based on research undertaken by the Sports Science Department.  Outcomes included: scoping of potential project work between both parties; delivery of a joint half day conference focused on the importance of growth and maturation in sport and the development of a number of activities for teaching and innovation,(all concerning promotion of talent and health in elite youth)

Dr McNarry from the College of Engineering said of the experience:

“The University will benefit from the development of an undergraduate placement scheme and work experience opportunities.  Furthermore the SIP placement has highlighted the need for our research to be translated into practical settings.”