This one day Technological Universities Symposium will explore the role of Irish Technological Universities in addressing the digital competencies agenda.
About the Technological Universities Symposium
In the second of its Technological Universities Symposia Series, Technological University Dublin, in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority in Ireland, invites you to a one day Symposium, to explore the role of Irish Technological Universities in addressing the digital competencies agenda.
The Irish digital journey has been a resounding success on many dimensions – sustained investment in tertiary education and workforce skills has resulted in one of the most advanced digital economies in Europe, best in class for advanced ICT skills across all sectors of the economy, and a capital city which can credibly claim prominence as a global technology hub. In stark contrast however more than half of Irish adults lack basic digital skills, a non-cyclical skills shortage for ICT professionals has persisted for over 15 years and ICT remains one of the most gender-imbalanced sectors. Arguably, as we navigate an era where climate and the environment have become the defining challenges of our time, a more pressing question may be digital competencies for what purpose?
The Symposium will focus on university-employer partnerships, identifying proven, scalable or disruptive international models, to inform how our new Technological Universities can deliver a step change in the digital competencies agenda. Discussions will be framed through the lenses of:
- People : Fostering an inclusive talent pipeline
- Partnerships : Stakeholder-centric models for co-created solutions
- Planet : Digital competencies for climate action and the environment.
Questions to be explored with expert international and Irish speakers include: How can technological universities organise themselves to become central to their regional innovation ecosystems in a digital age? What has Europe learned from a myriad of initiatives to digital skills shortages? What key challenges remain and as technology itself advances, what new opportunities are presented? How can tertiary education providers work together with employers to deliver a step change on the digital competencies agenda? What new partnership models for education and training have the potential to disrupt traditional approaches?
Who should attend?
The symposium is aimed at senior leaders in Irish higher education, employers in industry and community organisations, academics, policy makers, student leaders, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in the reform of the higher education landscape in Ireland. More widely, it should also be of interest to relevant officials working in government departments and state agencies in areas such as social policy and equality, social innovation, labour market participation, education and skills.
About TU Dublin
On 1st January 2019, nearly a decade after the National Strategy for Higher Education was adopted, TU Dublin was designated as the first Irish Technological University. Located at the centre of a European capital city and a global hub for technology, business and culture, and drawing on their 130 year tradition of leading technological education, research and engagement in Ireland, TU Dublin will have a pivotal role in future-proofing the Irish economy. and, as a new university with a distinctive mission, TU Dublin is poised to have a global impact.
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