Symposium: University-Employer Partnerships for Digital Competencies
Symposium: University-Employer Partnerships for Digital Competencies
On Tuesday 11th of February, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) invited leading figures in Industry and Higher Education to the second of it’s Technological Universities Symposia Series. The theme for this the second in the series of Symposia was developing digital competencies through effective university-employer partnerships, is a major part of the mission of Ireland’s technological universities.
Irish and European Higher Education experts, policy-makers, and a range of industry and community stakeholders attended the symposium - University-Employer Partnerships for Digital Competencies.
Prof. David FitzPatrick (President of TU Dublin)
“It’s up to us build opportunities, nurturing minds. Nurturing minds and creating responsible global citizens, these are some of TU Dublins's ambitions. We are going to tackle these challenges”
Dr Sybille Reichert (European University Association)
“Universities have a great influence on bringing major grants to the regions, they provide talent and act as facilitators. If we understand this then University-City-Citizens-Government can become a sustainable ecosystem”
– Read Dr Sybille Reichert’s intervention: The Role of Universities in Regional Innovation Ecosystems
Dr. Caroline O’Sullivan (Head of Creative Media at TU Dublin) hosted a series of short presentations and chaired an engaging panel discussion about the future of University partnerships.
Contributors included:
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Ellen Ward (Concern and Tech4Good) - Tech for Good: Why Purpose is More Important than Profit.
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Marte Andresen (PricewaterhouseCoopers) - European Models for University-Employer Skills Cooperation.
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Alan Fahey (SAP) - Vocational Training Models at SAP: STARS Programme.
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Adam Weatherly (ISME) - SMEs and the Digital Competencies agenda.
Dr Paul Doyle (TU Dublin) officially launched the HubLinked Knowledge Alliance University-Industry Innovations Report - www.hublinked.eu
– Read HubLinked UIC Business Report:
During a segment chaired by Dr Deirdre Lillis (TU Dublin and HEA), experts discussed how to best deliver ‘Digital Competencies’ in the face of the growing challenges to our climate and environment.
Contributors included:
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Professor David FitzPatrick (President, TU Dublin)
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Michael Horgan (Chairperson of the Higher Education Authority)
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Izabela Milewska (Digital Skills Global Leader at Amazon Web Services and Chair of Digital Europe)
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Dr. Susan McKeever (Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, TU Dublin)
- Claire Cunningham (Immersive Interaction Designer & Prototyper)
Dr. Victoria Galan-Muros (Innovative Futures Institute and the University-Industry Innovation Network)
“Using examples of successful industry university collaborations creates a a win-win scenario not just in terms of efficiency but also in digital skills development ”
– Read Dr. Victoria Galan-Muros: University-Industry Innovation for Skills Development: an International Approach
Dave Feenan (Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet) chaired the final panel with industry and community stakeholders offering their perspectives about how stakeholders can foster an Inclusive Talent Pipeline. Contributors included:
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Inclusive Talent Pipeline and the Screen Sector. Gareth Lee (Screen Skills Ireland)
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The Innovation Academy. Suzi Jarvis (Founding Director of the Innovation Academy and Professor of Biophysics at University College Dublin)
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Stephen Howell (Academic Lead)
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Riana Roche (Manager of Software Development Engineering; Cyber & Intelligence Solutions (C&I), Mastercard)
Ann Sylvester (WITS Ireland)
