Empowering Students with Technology
As discussed in my recent blog, students are now demanding greater technological capabilities from higher education institutions as they become accustomed to the latest technologies in all other areas of their lives.
This is leading universities to undergo digital transformation, which is providing them with greater efficiencies and freeing up budget to invest in other areas. As a result, universities can begin introducing new technology into the classroom and developing their curriculums to provide students with the skills they need for the modern workplace.
One of the biggest issues being spoken about with regards to today’s workforce is the skills gap with Gartner finding that “only 20% of employees have the skills needed for both their current role and their future career”. So, as attentions across all industries turn to tackling this issue, introducing students to the skills and technology of the future at university could go a long way to improving the situation.
In this blog, I will be looking at how universities can use technology and work with vendors to empower students and give them much-needed skill sets.
Innovating with technology
Beyond the impact of implementing new technologies on improving processes and the integration of systems, working with vendors such as InterSystems can allow universities to teach more technical curriculums. While InterSystems technology can be used during the course, it’s also possible for the business to provide the resources needed to teach subjects like cloud and AI. Therefore, the classroom experience is improved on a daily basis thanks to the use of innovative new technology, but it also sets students up in the long term by helping them become familiar with these technologies and develop the skills needed for the future.
How can InterSystems help?
Over the last three years, we’ve seen some technology vendors begin to work closely with higher education organisations. For instance, a leading vendor has built an academy programme in higher education and developed academies in a number of UK universities. This helps the institutions to introduce leading technology and train students on highly in-demand skill sets who can be placed within the vendor’s organisation as part of their course or once they graduate. This not only provides a pathway to a career for these students but also enhances the vendor’s skills base.
Similarly, InterSystems can work with universities to run data management courses, for instance, providing not only the technology but also the content. This will enable universities to diversify the modules on offer to their students, train them with practical use of new technology and arm them with the skills needed for their future careers, alongside possible certifications and qualifications.
Additionally, as ‘hackathons’ become increasingly popular, this could be facilitated by vendors such as InterSystems as a wider programme of events, giving students an insight into the possibilities of technology and practical experience of using it.
Further to enhancing the student experience by adding value around modules, training, coursework, and events, InterSystems can also provide skills to higher education institutions. This would allow university employees to receive training from vendors on new technologies, how to use them and where they can fit into the curriculum.
Ultimately, there are a variety of ways that embracing new technologies and working with vendors will enhance the university experience. Not only will it allow higher education institutions to integrate systems, manage data more effectively and provide students with a more tech-friendly environment but it will also enable them to embrace initiatives that will arm young people with the skills and knowledge needed for the tech-driven workplace of the future.
As a result, students will gain both the theoretical and practical knowledge of new technologies and for some, this will provide a direct pathway to a career. By developing these skills before they embark on their careers, students will help to fill talent gaps and make valuable contributions to their industries.
