Business School is first IPSERA Regional Centre of Competence in the UK
Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) is the first International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPSERA) Regional Centre of Competence in the UK.
15 November 2022
Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) becomes the first International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPSERA) Regional Centre of Competence in the UK.
The Business School will be a Centre for three years. Although there are ten Centres in the world, this new Centre is the first in the UK. NUBS competed with Cranfield University and the University of Birmingham for the recognition.
Internationally recognised
ISPERA is an internationally recognised network of educators, researchers, academics and practitioners. The network is dedicated to the development of Purchasing and Supply Management education, research and best practice.
Dr Ying Yang, Reader in Operations and Supply Chain Management and Research Lead of the Supply Chain and Operations Research Community, secured the Centre for the Business School.
As part of being a Regional Centre, Dr Yang will organise a series of activities during the three years, including seminars and events. This will allow NUBS to further engage with academic colleagues across the world.
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Dr Yang, said: “I believe this will strengthen the Supply Chain and Operations Research Community and bring huge benefits to our two supply-chain-related Master’s programmes. Considering the importance of supply chain management after the pandemic, the activities we will run for the IPSERA Centre will provide benefits for students and colleagues within the University.“
Achieving Centre status
Multiple factors are taken into consideration when being chosen as a Regional Centre of Competence.
As part of the application, Dr Yang had to demonstrate that the Business School was world-leading in purchasing and supply chain research. Profiles and portfolios of Business School staff and their research were submitted and reviewed. A Centre must have at least 10 colleagues and be research-focused. Dr Yang illustrated her knowledge, expertise, and capability to lead the Centre.
Professor Stewart Robinson, Dean of Newcastle University Business School, said: “Newcastle University Business School has an international reputation as a centre of research excellence in purchasing and supply chain management. Achieving Regional Centre status reflects the quality of our research and teaching in this area. We are looking forward to strengthening our ties with other Newcastle University departments, as well as collaborating with other institutions through the activities proposed by Dr Ying Yang.”
Benefits to University
Becoming an IPSERA Regional Centre of Competence will bring huge benefits to the Business School and the wider University.
University staff and students will be able to attend activities taking place at other Centres, as well as the new activity planned by Dr Yang. The IPSERA network and its members conduct world-leading research in purchasing and supply chain management, which the University will have access to.
University staff can propose activities to take place at the Centre. This will be an additional platform to publicise research and meet collaborators, as well as a chance to develop a topic. Access spanning the whole University opens doors for cross-collaboration between departments.
We are looking forward to strengthening our ties with other Newcastle University departments, as well as collaborating with other institutions through the activities proposed by Dr Ying Yang.
Postgraduate research students will see particular benefits, with the opportunity to share research ideas with the community and join discussion groups.
How to get involved
If you want to learn more about the new Centre or attend the planned activities, please contact Dr Ying Yang.