The challenge will take place on 25th November 2020.
Entries must be submitted no later than 16th November.
This year’s Tech Industry Gold challenge will take place online on 25th November 2020, where Tech Industry Gold degree students from across the UK will present a tech concept to impress employers. Make sure you submit your team details asap, and no later than Monday 16th November.
About the challenge
Technology is enabling businesses and educators to transform their modes of delivery. While this can bring great benefits, it also brings particular challenges in terms of digital exclusion. We want you to consider one of these challenges and create a tech solution that helps more people to be more connected in our rapidly changing world.
Here are some examples you may consider but you can create your own scenario too.
- The workplace is changing, with a dramatic increase in companies’ use of web services for communication between their staff. Thinking about the web platforms you have used and recent innovations in this field, describe a new web service that would help a companies’ staff work together more effectively.
- New approaches to online learning and providing a rich student experience are being deployed across the world. What is the most interesting tech solution you can envisage to help educators in the future?
- Nearly 2 million households in the UK don’t have access to the internet, meaning many vulnerable people have no access to government websites and other critical online services, limited access to health information, no ability to buy or learn online, and no opportunity to video chat with family and friends. How can technology be used to help overcome digital exclusion?
What are the judges looking for?
The judges want to see your approach to developing a solution to a problem. They are looking for teamwork, creativity, and practicality – including an overview of what it would take to make your idea a reality.
An important tip is to explain your concept in an interesting and engaging way. Think ‘Dragon’s Den’ meets ‘The Apprentice’. However, the Tech Industry Gold judging panel is a lot friendlier, wants you all to do well, and will give you a great experience that boosts your skills and confidence.
Who are the judges?
The judging panel will include a diverse range of employers who care about helping talented students embark on successful tech careers. You can see which employers were involved in the last competition which took place in May this year. We expect to see both familiar and new faces in November.
What is the date of the challenge?
The challenge will take place online on Wednesday 25th November 2020, with winners being recognised at the national Tech Industry Gold student/employer event on 2nd December 2020 (also online for 2020). Further details about the event will be provided in due course.
How many students and teams can take part?
Universities may enter as many teams as they like, but only a maximum of two teams, per year group per course, will be put through to the final session on 25th November.
Teams can be made up of two to eight students.
There are two categories:
Category 1: Tech Industry Gold first-year students.
Category 2: Tech Industry Gold second, third and final year students, and third-year students in Scotland.
Students from different Tech Industry Gold courses can work together (e.g. from both IT Management for Business (ITMB) and Software Engineering for Business (SEfB)).
How will the team present their ideas/concepts?
Each team should create a video presentation that is submitted prior to the day of the challenge itself. On the day, teams will talk about their presentation and discuss questions raised by the judging panel.
With team members not necessarily being in the same location, teams may need to use video editing so that everyone is involved. A variety of software tools might be used to create a submission, and we encourage teams to be as imaginative as possible.
The video, together with any supporting materials, must be submitted to [email protected] by midnight on Friday 20th November 2020.
How long should the videos be?
First-year students’ videos must be a maximum of five minutes.
Second, final year and MSci students’ videos must be a maximum of seven minutes.
Will there be instructions for the day?
Instructions and an agenda for the day will be sent out to all participating students.
Will we need to register to take part?
Yes, you will need to allocate a team leader who will send in details of all the team members, including email addresses, and submit these to [email protected] by Monday 16th November 2020.
How will I know if my connectivity works and whether my PC/Mac is compatible with the web conferencing platform?
The Tech Partnership Degrees’ team will offer connectivity checks to students prior to the day of the competition.
What are the prizes?
Each winning team will receive a trophy and £500 vouchers. There will also be runners up prizes of £300 and £200 for each second and third team. The judging panel will also offer individual spot prizes to students who stand out and impress them.
Any other questions?
If you have a particular question, then please do not hesitate to email it to [email protected] and we will get back to you.
Research and resources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-53367996/how-trickery-makes-video-calls-more-personal
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-53386674/beyond-zoom-the-future-of-virtual-meetings
https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/devicesdotnow
https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/the-future-of-the-classroom/
