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From the team at Petrus Communications

Connecting industry, universities and students worldwide since 2000

About

For more than two decades, Petrus Communications brought together employers, universities and students through innovative programmes designed to inspire talent and develop future-ready skills.

Founded in 2000 by Kirsten Williamson, Petrus began with a simple idea: to create meaningful connections between industry and education by engaging students in real-world challenges and collaborative projects. At a time when experiential learning and employer engagement were still emerging concepts, Petrus helped pioneer programmes that enabled students to apply academic knowledge to practical problems while gaining exposure to global companies and career opportunities.

Students working together during the Airnovation Summer Academy event organised by Airbus and Petrus Communications
Airbus logo - Petrus Communications
GEDC Logo - Petrus Communications
Exeter logo - Petrus Communications
Total logo - Petrus Communications
National Instruments logo - Petrus Communications
Dassault Systemes logo  - Petrus Communications
Boeing logo - Petrus Communications
Shell logo - Petrus Communications
Toyota logo - Petrus Communications
Bloomberg logo - Petrus Communications
LG logo - Petrus Communications
Samsung logo - Petrus Communications
AT&T logo  - Petrus Communications
Goldman Sachs logo - Petrus Communications
Barclays logo - Petrus Communications
Morgan Stanley logo - Petrus Communications
Lloyds bank logo - Petrus Communications
Citibank logo - Petrus Communications
MIT logo
McMaster logo - Petrus Communications
TuDelft logo - Petrus Communications
Cranfield University logo - Petrus Communications
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile logo - Petrus Communications
Georgia Tech - Petrus Communications

Inspiring Projects

Over the years, Petrus worked with universities,corporations and organisations across multiple countries to design initiatives that encouraged innovation, creativity and collaboration. These programmes ranged from global student challenges and industry-led projects to campus engagement campaigns and international forums that explored the future of skills, engineering and employability.

Through these initiatives, thousands of students were able to develop practical experience, broaden their perspectives and build connections with organisations seeking the next generation of talent. At the same time, employers gained valuable insights into emerging skills, student expectations and new approaches to learning.

Research & Publications

Beyond programme delivery, Petrus also contributed to thought leadership on education and the future of work. Through research publications, white papers and international collaborations, the organisation helped stimulate discussion around topics such as sustainability skills, engineering education and industry–academic partnerships.

Where are we now?

Over time, the focus of this work evolved toward a broader ambition: preparing young people of all backgrounds with the skills, mindsets and networks needed to thrive in a rapidly changing and increasingly digital world.

This evolution has led to the creation of LEX – The Global Learning Expedition, an AI-enabled platform for experiential learning and challenge-based programmes. LEX builds on the ideas, partnerships and experience developed through Petrus while embracing new technologies and approaches to learning that support digital fluency, understanding of emerging technologies, societal awareness and real-world employability skills.

Petrus Communications leaves a legacy of collaboration between industry and education and through the Global Learning Expedition, a continued commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation of global talent.

The Global Learning Expedition - header illustration

Want to find out more? Get in touch.