The IPIA and Ravensbourne University London forge new partnership to deliver real-world learning for Business students
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The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) has entered a partnership with Ravensbourne University London’s School of Business, Management and Commerce. The collaboration marks a significant step in advancing the IPIA’s long-term ‘New Narrative for Print’ project, with a clear focus on raising awareness, knowledge, and use of print across the creative industries.
Ravensbourne has built a high-profile portfolio of industry partnerships designed to deliver future-ready graduates. The driving ethos is for students to learn with industry. By providing access to leading creative networks, cutting-edge commercial tools and real-world learning opportunities, the university is reshaping how academia and industry work together. In return, partners benefit from direct engagement with emerging talent, thought leadership and opportunities for co-creation.
Alongside the IPIA, Ravensbourne’s powerhouse of partners includes advertising giant Adam&EveDDB, the advertising sector body IPA, effectiveness specialists System1, mail intelligence experts JICMAIL, and Young People in Print (YPIP), which promotes print-related careers.
Building confidence and employability
The IPIA and Epson partnerships directly support Ravensbourne’s strategic priority of working with industry, giving Business School students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level access to live project briefs, industry-led workshops and networking opportunities. The purpose is to ensure every student benefits from applied, practice-based learning that builds confidence and provides direct exposure to professional practice in diverse and creative environments.
Chris quote
We’re excited at Ravensbourne to bring this incredible mix of partners together, and delighted that the IPIA, with its extensive industry relationships, will be part of our success moving forward. By putting print and creativity at the heart of our engagement strategy, we have created a unique offering for students for the 2025/26 academic year and beyond.”
Kellie quote
I am delighted that the IPIA is one of the inaugural partners to work with our new school. This partnership is a perfect example of Ravensbourne’s strategic priority of learning with industry, ensuring that industry is built into the fabric of our courses. Collaborations of this kind demonstrate our joint commitment to building positive futures for graduates and employers, and they show how we are preparing our students to thrive in complex, real-world environments.”
Engagement and action
Together, these connections will culminate in an annual 'Powered by Print and Creative Effectiveness' Industry Impact showcase, celebrating the outcomes of collaborations with the IPIA and other partners, while reinforcing Ravensbourne’s role as a hub for elite industry engagement.
Students from the MBA, MSc Project Management, and undergraduate Business courses will be the first to benefit, engaging with IPIA member organisations through consultancy projects, project management assignments and applied research. Field trips will also form a central part of the programme, including visits to Epson’s Watford Innovation Centre and other IPIA member sites, giving students direct exposure to cutting-edge print technologies and innovations.
Alasdair quote
This is a first for the IPIA, and it represents a bold step forward in how we engage with the next generation of creative and marketing talent. By working directly with Ravensbourne University London, we can help enrich student learning, provide them with a deeper understanding of the power of print, and give them hands-on opportunities to see how it integrates with wider creative strategies. Our aim is to ensure that students graduate not only with strong academic knowledge, but also with practical insights and direct access to the print industry. By fostering these connections early, we hope to inspire a new wave of marketers who understand the value of print and can harness its effectiveness within a modern, multi-channel world.”
This partnership was inspired by conversations with renowned effectiveness marketing expert Les Binet, who has recently been awarded a visiting professorship by Ravensbourne University London. Central to the IPIA’s ‘New Narrative for Print’ project is engagement with leading voices across marketing, design, fashion, textiles, and photography figures who champion effectiveness within their sectors. Binet is one such figure, and his appointment at Ravensbourne cements the shared ambition of the IPIA and the university to operate at the intersection of industry and academia.
With the introduction of JICMAIL and YPIP resources for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the IPIA looks forward to collaborating with ‘New Narrative for Print’ sponsors including Citipost Mail, Epson, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Imprint MIS and The Printing Charity to support this partnership through access to innovation, expert speakers and site visits.
Ahead of the coming academic year, the IPIA and Ravensbourne University London will work together to align the ‘Effectiveness in Print’ agenda with the institution's industry engagement strategy. The partnership will generate several opportunities, from white papers and joint events to speaker sessions and immersive student experiences all underpinned by a clear competency framework that connects learning directly to real business challenges.
