Edinburgh Napier University is highlighting the need for all Scottish companies to embrace the digital agenda – saying it is no longer optional, it is a must have.
Bill Buchanan, professor at Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing explains: “Whatever sector a company is in, digital technology is increasingly playing a part. It is essential that businesses of all sizes ensure they are able to engage effectively with the IT opportunities available.
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- All companies, big and small, need to take digital opportunities & risks seriously – particularly cyber threats.
- Event offers businesses chance to ‘bridge the gap’ by engaging with the University.
“It could be about realizing internal operational efficiency; it could be about having effective digital interfaces for current and prospective customers; and it could be about protecting against increasing cyber threats.”
The university’s School of Computing is hosting an event, Connect with Computing, on 3rd September 2013 offering companies insight into how they could engage with the university to help bridge the gaps in their digital armoury. With estimates suggesting Scotland will need an extra 30 to 40k IT professionals in the coming years, securing good computing graduates is one way to help address the challenge.
The free event will cover areas such as how companies could take advantage of the specialist IT expertise of student placements and internships, the support available for digital innovation projects and also ways to fund such support. The event will offer examples of how these options can work for any size of business.
This business engagement initiative is part of Edinburgh Napier University’s role in the Business Innovation Exchange project, a partnership among St Andrews, Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret Universities that seeks to provide SMEs with easier access to academic know how, facilities and intellectual property.
Buchannan concludes: “With the impending IT skill shortage this is an opportunity for businesses to embed know-how and innovation into their culture, taking advantage of the cutting-edge talent before the competition becomes prohibitive. With advances in technology evolving so rapidly it is essential for commercial operations to keep pace as much as possible.”
To book
To book at place at the event please contact Maureen Ronaldson email: m.ronaldson@napier.ac.uk Tel. 0131 455 2616
