Students at University of Western Sydney (UWS) now have an opportunity to gain real life work experience under a new partnership with Bankstown City Council.

This follows today’s official signing of the partnership between the two organisations after working together informally on previous occasions.

One of the first projects to roll out of the partnership involves students from the Graduate School of Management who are assisting Council’s Bankstown Business Advisory Service (BBAS) with research into the local food services industry.

• The establishment of an e-food guide for Bankstown;
• Establishing links between the different food businesses in this sector;
• Create a network where like-minded businesses can share ideas;
• Identify opportunities for local food businesses to tap into the export market; and
• Helping businesses access services provide by BBAS to support local businesses.

Mayor Khal Asfour said the project enables students to gain life experience with real outcomes.

“Our students are our future leaders and the winners in this partnership,” Mayor Asfour said.

“They will be out in the field talking to companies and coming up with real strategies that will benefit Council and our local business community.

“But from a strategic city-wide perspective, this partnership will ensure we can facilitate discussions between local businesses and UWS so courses are tailored to meet the real needs of employers and therefore genuinely improve the job opportunities for graduates.”

UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, said the partnership will support the economic, cultural and social development of the City and broader Greater Western Sydney region.

"UWS has had a long-standing, productive relationship with Bankstown City Council and, following today’s announcement, will see our two organisations work even more closely on initiatives that will have a positive impact not only on our teaching and research, but the broader community,” said Professor Glover.

“The partnership will involve collaboration across a variety of areas but with a particular focus on promoting local business and industry and creating new opportunities for knowledge-based employment.”