Partner Article

Sunderland scores international partnership

A PARTNERSHIP between the University of Sunderland’s Business School, Sunderland Football Club, and the University of Colorado has been set up to forge international ties and stimulate growth in the region.

The programme will take University of Colorado students and offer them six month internships working at Sunderland Football Club and attending University of Sunderland Business School lectures.

Nick Christopher, the first University of Colorado sports management student to take part in the scheme, is now working with the conference and events team at the football club.

Viv Kinnaird, dean of the faculty of business and law at the University of Sunderland said: “With this scheme we’ve put in place a new way of linking up the private sector and the university that integrates learning so that it is totally embedded in a work-based internship.”

“The Business School’s partnership with Sunderland Football Club is very exciting. It opens chances for Sunderland and US students to work abroad as interns and adds a new dimension to our successful study abroad scheme.

“University of Colorado students have a fantastic opportunity to work with a top flight professional football club and we are also exploring opportunities for our Sunderland students to work with the US Olympics Committee in Colorado Springs as part of their studies.”

Gary Hutchinson, manager of SAFC’s conference and events division, has spearheaded the football club’s involvement with the university.

He said: “Sunderland Football Club has a reputation for making things happen which benefit businesses around the region.

“Working hand-in-hand with the university’s business school has been a great experience. Viv Kinnaird has a ‘can do’ attitude which exactly matches our own and we’re delighted to welcome Nick Christopher to the club as the first-ever international intern from Colorado.”

Gary Hutchinson and Viv Kinnaird aim to build on the university and football club partnership to create new initiatives which strengthen international links.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .