A Newcastle University student from Thailand has been putting her business skills into practice after taking on a project with Tell Us North.
The MBA consultancy project forms part of a long-standing relationship between Tell Us North and Newcastle University, as part of which we have regularly worked with students and academic staff to share our experience of the voluntary and community sector.
Chareeya Likhitwatthanakij (known as Mild), is an MBA student with a background in pharmacy. She was briefed to explore the skills and expertise already within the Tell Us North team and identify opportunities to develop these into training services for community groups, members of the public and businesses:
“This has been a fantastic opportunity to take what I have learned through my MBA and apply it to a real organisation and a genuine business challenge.”
“Working with Tell Us North has given me the chance to speak directly with staff, understand their skills and experience, carry out research and then turn that information into practical recommendations.”
“What I particularly enjoyed was that I wasn’t simply observing how the organisation works – I was given the opportunity to ask questions, challenge ideas and contribute that could have a lasting benefit.”
“Coming to Newcastle from Thailand and studying at Newcastle University has already been a hugely rewarding experience, and this project has added another dimension to that. It has given me valuable insight into the UK community and voluntary sector and, importantly, experience that I can take forward into my future career.”
– Chareeya Likhitwatthanakij (Mild), MBA Student Newcastle University
Over the course of the project, she interviewed members of our team and carried out an online survey and desk-based market research with stakeholders. She also explored what potential customers would be willing to pay for, helping Tell Us North identify potential income for future training programmes.
“We are delighted to see students such as Mild gaining practical experience through working with organisations in the community and voluntary sector.“
“Opportunities like this allow our students to apply the knowledge and skills they develop through their studies to real-world challenges, while bringing fresh thinking and new perspectives to the organisations they work with.“
“It is particularly encouraging to see the strong relationship that has developed between Newcastle University and Tell Us North and the positive impact this collaboration is having for everyone involved.”
– Jen Simpson, Head of Engagement, Recruitment and Marketing at Newcastle University
For Tell Us North, the project has provided us with valuable capacity to investigate a new area of commercial development. Tell Us North works across the health and wellbeing sector, specialising in community engagement, including managing Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead.
Our partnership with Newcastle University demonstrates how collaboration between higher education and the community sector can deliver benefits on both sides – giving students valuable real-world experience while providing local organisations with new skills, ideas and additional capacity.
“We have had a positive relationship with Newcastle University for a number of years. Having Mild join us has taken that relationship a step further. She has done an enormous amount of work for us and approached the project in a professional way.
“She has spoken to our staff about their skills and knowledge, carried out interviews and surveys, and looked at what training opportunities we could potentially take to community groups, businesses and the wider public.”
“She has also asked some important questions about what people would actually be prepared to pay for, which is helping us shape the commercial direction we want to take.”
“For us, it has given us the capacity to look properly at something we have been interested in developing for some time but simply haven’t had the time to do because of the demands of our day-to-day work.”
“For Mild, it has given her the opportunity to work on a genuine business project, ask questions, analyse information and make recommendations. I think the experience will stand her in very good stead when she moves into the business community.”
– Courtney Peel, Chief Operating Officer of Tell Us North
Photo by Steve Brock Photography
Tell Us North 