STUDENTS are to be given special briefs on how to improve Huddersfield … and they will have just 24 hours to come up with their ideas.

And a highly successful entrepreneur behind the scheme wants Examiner readers to come up with suggestions for the students to work on.

Jonathan Sands is an Honorary Doctor at the University of Huddersfield and is chairman of global branding agency, Elmwood. The Leeds-based agency has offices worldwide in Melbourne, New York and Singapore. Major clients include the BBC, Comic Relief and Asda.

He said: “When people get their first view of a town it should appeal to their emotions, heart and soul rather than the logical side of their brain.

“Both subtle and striking changes can be made to bring this to life in Huddersfield, which will enhance the experience of being in the town to both residents and visitors alike.

“So, for example, the Angel Of The North statue has been vital in regenerating the whole Gateshead area.’’

He added: “I want to encourage innovative thinking and so we will have second year students from design, architecture and fashion marketing working together as 10 teams on it.

“They will be given a number of briefs to work on and then must come back 24 hours later with their ideas.

“These ideas should help to improve the prosperity of people in the town – their health, happiness and financial wellbeing.’’

He said the UK can be very backward in its global thinking.

“Why do we still teach French in schools when Mandarin is the second most spoken language in the world after English?’’ he said. “Why do we rely on old practices such as this?’’

Suggested briefs could be how to stop people throwing chewing gum on the ground through to making the best use of empty shops and how to make people smile more.

In Stockholm there were steps next to an escalator in an underpass. The steps were painted black and white like a piano and played like one when people went up and down them. Soon just about everyone chose to use the steps instead.

For more ideas like this visit the website:

www.thefuntheory.com

The best ideas will win a cash prize for the team and Jonathan hopes some will become reality.

The 24-hour challenge is due to take place on March 22/23.

Anyone with ideas of briefs for the students should send them by email to andrew.hirst@examiner.co.uk or by post to Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Examiner, Queen Street South, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3DU.