Here East is a major innovation, technology, education and creative industries campus located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. It was created by redeveloping the former International Broadcast Centre and Press Centre used during the London 2012 Olympic Games and is home to Loughborough University London as well as Ford, Sports Interactive and the V&A. Here East provides flexible workspace for companies of all sizes, working to get them connecting and collaborating in a space that supports their work.
The Collaborate Sprint is designed to boost students’ skills and confidence with teamwork, problem-solving mindset and provide tools that aid innovation and creativity. It was also a chance for students to meet each other and take on a fun challenge as part of our September induction.
Here East set a challenge to make themselves the biodiversity capital of London workspace. Students had the chance to delve into the current challenges, taking time to explore the Here East campus and see some of the innovative solutions it has already offered.
Isaac Vale, Here East’s Head of Sustainability said:
Supporting the sustainability of a campus as big as Here East requires a lot of innovation and new ideas. Getting fresh perspectives from Loughborough students via the Sprint has been incredibly helpful. A lot of the ideas they shared where immediately actionable or had routes for us to achieve them. I would thoroughly recommend organisations taking part.
Ben Cole, Head of Loughborough’s Future Space said:
It was great for Here East to open their doors and share a real-world challenge. We want our students to look at the world with curiosity and plot new ways of doing thing. Taking them through challenges such as this is invaluable to their development and adds experience straight onto their CVs.
Ankit Hete, a student in the winning team said:
The Sprint was such a brilliant way to spend a day. I met fellow students from across the campus, took on a challenge and helped pitch our solution – I learnt a lot and had so much fun.
The Sprint is part of Future Space’s unique programme that seeks to build teamworking, problem solving and creativity in Loughborough University London students. The Future Space team has worked with organisations as diverse as IBM, Ford and Holland and Barrett on challenges around improving opportunities, access and sustainability. If you have a challenge or problem, you would like to propose, please email futurespace@lboro.ac.uk.