Learning, Leadership and Legacy

Ulster University has helped power Northern Ireland’s economy for 50 years through symbiotic business partnerships. Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of Ulster University Business School, reflects on the School’s lasting impact and ambitious future.

As Ulster University Business School (UUBS) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the milestone reflects not only five decades of purposeful partnership with industry but also a renewed commitment to shaping a vibrant economic future for Northern Ireland and beyond. Rooted in a vision of people-centric partnering, UUBS strives to be an engaged, entrepreneurial business school that delivers transformational outcomes for students, staff, and the wider business community.

For Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, the anniversary is a moment of reflection. Fresh from the 50th Anniversary Launch event – attended by some of Northern Ireland’s top business leaders she says:

“This is our opportunity to reflect on the remarkable changes that have shaped our journey over the decades, whilst also celebrating the enduring core values that defined us 50 years ago and continue to inspire us today. When the School launched in 1975, we had a reputation for being progressive and first to market with new courses and business support. The first full-time, specialist Accounting degree in the UK was developed at Ulster, and that same year we launched the Business Studies degree. That culture of innovation is embedded in everything we do curriculum design to student learning approaches.”  

That commitment to anticipate and respond to evolving industry needs remains central.

“Staying relevant to our business community is key. We are embedding themes such as AI and Sustainable Development into our evolving course portfolio – areas that reflect both global priorities and local business needs. Organisational development continues to be an area where demand is growing rapidly. We take a flexible, partnership-driven approach, working with businesses to co-design customised programmes that deliver real value for clients. It’s how we stay connected, current and responsive to what matters most.”

Throughout the years, UUBS has become synonymous with a business-first approach to education – a clear differentiator, according to Gillian.

“Some of the employers at the anniversary event openly said that their partnership with Ulster University was instrumental in enabling their growth and expansion. We work on a variety of courses, from apprenticeships, to degree, masters programmes and micro-credential short courses engaging with both local organisations and foreign direct investors.”

This responsiveness is particularly valuable in a region where economic resilience has been hard-won.

“We have an open-door policy and are market-driven – something that may not always be evident within academia,” she explains. The ability to act fast is invaluable for partners like Invest NI. Many programmes need tailored context and authentic assessment, and our team delivers quickly – helping to make Northern Ireland an attractive place to do business.”  

The University blends academic rigor, research excellence with commercial insight.

“Many of our academics come from business and professional practice. They understand both the application of research and the realities of the business environment. We start by asking: where are the pain points? What do you need?”

That depth of engagement spans both public and private sectors from global corporations to generational family firms, UUBS supports Northern Ireland’s diverse economic ecosystem.

The Centre for Sustainable Family Enterprise, led by Dr Ian Smyth, is one such example.

“We do a lot through the UK Government-funded (CABS) Help to Grow programme,” Gillian adds. “We recently hosted an event in partnership with the NI Chamber around generational leadership at our Derry-Londonderry campus. It gave family firms a platform to share their experiences, challenges and growth journeys.”

This work underpins UUBS’s recognition as a holder of the Small Business Charter -  a national accreditation highlighting its support for small businesses, local economies, and student entrepreneurship.

UUBS’s new Strategic Plan reflects a contextual awareness, noting that over 80% of Northern Ireland’s businesses are family-owned and more than 89% are classed as micro-businesses. Supporting this landscape through tailored education, mentorship and research is a big part of the Business School’s mission. By empowering students and business leaders to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, UUBS is helping to build regional resilience and a skilled talent pipeline for  both local and global markets.

Academic excellence matters - but so does application.

“It’s about theory and practice,” Gillian says. “Our degrees include an optional placement year, which is hugely valuable for students and for businesses too, giving them early access to fresh talent early and new ideas.”  

The Executive MBA is a prime example of a course designed for impact.

“It’s a powerful programme that we continually refresh in collaboration with industry,” she says. “Many Northern Ireland business leaders are EMBA alumni – including Kerry Curran, now Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Beijing. Kerry continues to apply the EMBA learning to complex international challenges.”

“The variety in the portfolio means we maintain strong relationships with businesses who keep coming back to us.”

As the future of work evolves, so too must education. A key theme of the 50th anniversary panel discussion was how institutions can support lifelong learning in the age of AI and digital transformation.

“We integrate the Sustainable Development Goals across our curriculum, but digital skills are key,” Gillian explains. “We actively encourage students to use and understand AI within their learning so they’ll be workplace-ready. But it’s about the right mix – technical proficiency combined with human skills like communication and emotional intelligence. You don’t need to be a technical expert, but you do need to understand how to work alongside AI to thrive in a fast-changing world.

Flexibility is key.

“It starts with a conversation. We’ll almost always have something that fits. And if not, we’ll create it.”

Looking ahead, Professor Armstrong frames the future of UUBS in terms of people, place and partnership - core pillars of Ulster University’s wider vision.

“Our staff are exceptional educators. But innovation often comes through partnership working – whether it’s in China, the Middle East, or England. These global connections enrich Northern Ireland and vice versa. There’s a synergy, with benefits for all regions.”  

The Business School Strategic Plan outlines five priorities: financial sustainability, campus development and good jobs, equality and inclusion, social impact, and international reputation via AACSB accreditation. A new Centre for Finance and Regulatory Technology is already in development (with the Faculty of Computing and Engineering), alongside expanded branch campuses and global partnership activity. UUBS is also a signatory to the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and aims to lead in family business research through the Chartered Association of Business Schools Small Business Charter.

Ultimately, Professor Armstrong believes UUBS’s impact is rooted in trust.

“The quality of our students is exceptional. Many sectors will report on how people and skills are the challenge, but when you engage with us, you gain direct access to that talent. Whether it’s placements, graduate recruitment, live projects or just conversations with our staff, there’s huge value in those relationships.”

What stood out most from the 50th anniversary panel? For Gillian, it was the people and the relationships.

“From the many partnerships and stakeholders we work with, the same theme comes through regardless of location. It’s about the deep relationships they have with the staff at Ulster University and that approachability. That’s what makes the leap of faith possible. That’s what makes it work.”

And that, in essence, is UUBS’s formula for the next 50 years: trust-based collaboration, people-centric leadership, and a shared commitment to economic transformation – growing a talented, skilled workforce to meet the evolving needs of business and society.