The collaboration, which has resulted in the creation of two bespoke postgraduate training programmes for the professional services sector, achieved the national award at a London ceremony last week when business leaders and academics came together to celebrate the achievements of outstanding collaborations.
UUBS and PwC secured their place among industry leaders throughout the UK for the creation of the MSc Professional Services Operational Delivery (PSOD – Course Director, Claire McCann) in 2019 and later, the creation of the innovative MSc Business in Technology (MBT – Course Director – Helen McKenna) two years later. Building on the success of the partnership, this multidisciplinary and future of work focused provision was developed to advance the technology and business capability of PwC’s next generation of senior business leaders.
Professor Gillian Armstrong, Associate Dean (Development and Partnerships – Domestic) at Ulster University Business School, said:
“Our strategic learning partnership with PwC reflects a shared commitment to education, research, innovation, and employability. Through a transformative partnership model, we have ensured that the curriculum is aligned closely with organisational needs. We extend a warm congratulations to the exceptional teams at both the Business School and PwC who have played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of these tailored learning solutions.”
The postgraduate programmes created by the partnership have emerged as vital platforms for driving competence-based education within PwC and the professional services sector, equipping learners with the latest insights in areas such as business strategy, transformation, consulting, emerging technology, and technical awareness. Programmes have enabled learners to tackle live business challenges, leading to tangible benefits through improved workforce capability and increased employee engagement in PwC.
Claire Shields, Director (Capability and Development) at PwC's Operate, commented:
"We are thrilled to be recognised alongside Ulster University Business School in the Learning Excellence Awards. In today’s modern workplace, it’s important that businesses continue to transform how they educate and develop their employees. Integrating university credentials and teaching expertise with an employer influenced curriculum has become a very powerful way for us to ensure our workforce is equipped with tailored knowledge and skills required now and in the future. This collaboration with Ulster University Business School has been instrumental in helping enhance new and accredit existing skills across our workforce, providing learners with more focused learning and valuable qualifications. The tangible benefits we've seen in our business are a direct result of enhanced workforce skills and employee engagement.”
The Learning Excellence Awards are an annual celebration for the business training and learning and development sector, which seeks to award exceptional and innovative initiatives and programmes between businesses and training providers.