UWS, RGU, Stirling Empower Renfrewshire Women in Business

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has received a share of £83,000 from the Pathways Pre-start Fund in collaboration with Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of Stirling to launch a project aimed at empowering women with parental responsibilities to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.

The project, founded by RGU and launched in 2021 in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council, has already aided 69 women considering entrepreneurial initiatives while caring for their children. Earlier this year, the program was recognized with the Outstanding Business Engagement category at The Herald Higher Education Scotland Awards.

The program takes participants through the fundamental steps of developing a sustainable and customer-focused business over the course of seven weeks through a series of online, interactive sessions.

Lorraine Quinn, Head of Division (Marketing, Innovation, Tourism, and Events) at the School of Business and Creative Industries at UWS, expressed excitement in participating in the project. She went on to say, "UWS is delighted to be part of this exciting project, reaching women in the Renfrewshire area, providing them with an accessible route, which both supports and enables their creativity building towards a viable business."

Ibiyemi Omeihe, Lecturer in Enterprise at the University of the West of Scotland's School of Business and Creative Industries, stressed the university's delight in partnering with RGU and the University of Stirling. She emphasized the program's transforming influence on women's entrepreneurship and believes the relationship as a critical step in eliminating gender gaps in entrepreneurship, particularly in Renfrewshire. Omeihe stressed that giving learning opportunities will inspire women to follow their business dreams and create a precedent for cultivating an entrepreneurial culture.