08/12/2014
The Developing and Strengthening Industry driven Knowledge (DASIK) ICT Research Collaboration Workshop was held at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on 8th December 2014 and was attended by over 40 representatives from several companies in Port Elizabeth as well as academics in the science and technology field. The main aim of the workshop was to bring together individuals with a passion for ICT to address the opportunities and challenges in the field of ICT faced by companies and researchers. Potential opportunities for collaboration between industry partners and researchers were explored. The DASIK project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
According to Dr Brenda Scholtz, the South African project manager for the DASIK project, “The project has brought immeasurable benefits to both staff and students at NMMU. Several students have benefited from the various funded trips to Germany and have also benefited from the part time work opportunities that the project has provided to students who are involved in the various activities of the project.”
The event was opened by Dr Brenda Scholtz and participants were welcomed by both Prof Andrew Leitch (Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Engagement, NMMU) and Prof Bernd Siebenhüner (Vice President for Graduate Education and Quality Management, University of Oldenburg, Germany). Various topics related to ICT trends were presented at the workshop, ranging from managing digital content and the impact of the Internet to data science and the value of knowing.
Philina Wittke (Director Information Center at the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service) gave a presentation on the funding opportunities offered by the DAAD to South African Organisations.
The ICT field has been identified as an area where there is a shortage of good quality skills and graduates are in high demand. The workshop provided participating companies with the opportunity of strengthening partnerships with researchers and academics in higher education institutions in order to satisfy their future employee and market demand.