Managers at Monarch Airlines have swapped their offices for lecture theatres in a new partnership teaching Tourism students at the University of Bedfordshire.

The airline's Revenue Management Department have been delivering lectures and seminars to final year students taking a module in International Air Transport.

Dr Philip Alford, Senior Tourism Lecturer, said: "This is a good example of the University collaborating with industry to boost the employability of its students. Having first hand experience of a company is invaluable and to work with real life case studies is an ideal way to equip students for the world of work.

"The revenue management function is central to an airline, as it is responsible for reading the market and setting prices to fill seats on the aircraft, to optimise the profit of each and every flight."

Monarch Revenue Manager Martin Gibbings graduated from the University with a First Class Honours degree in Tourism five years ago. He took on the role because he wanted to give something back to the University and help students learn more about the realities of working in the airline industry.

Later this month students will visit Monarch's Head Office at London Luton Airport, where they will be taught by the senior Web Development team.

Dr Alford secured the partnership with Monarch Airlines thanks to his collaborative work with local businesses, as one of 11 new academic business champions introduced by the University.

Known as Employer Partnership Fellows, the champions have a wealth of expertise to offer in areas such as business management, computing, design and human resources, to help improve commercial performance and graduate opportunities in the wider business community. Funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), they have been chosen to spread their department's valuable expertise.

To find out more about studying at the University visit www.beds.ac.uk.  For further information about the Employer Fellows scheme visit www.beds.ac.uk/knowledgehub or contact the University's Knowledge Hub on 0800 328 5334.