Borders College Shortlisted for leading the way in Data Science learning

An innovative partnership programme funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal is benefitting students across the region, by allowing not only full-time students to learn about Data Driven Innovation (DDI) but also those who are unemployed or facing redundancy. 

The programme at Borders College has been shortlisted for a national award at the annual CDN (College Development Network) Awards – one of the most prestigious awards in the sector. Core Skills staff at Borders College developed a project-based approach to their course delivery and assessment. This approach has enabled the lecturers to develop the digital, data and meta-skills of the learners that relate more specifically to the needs of the employers. The shortlisting recognises a college that has anticipated the importance of wider skills development and reflected this across the curriculum. The winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on Thursday 3 December 2020.  

Borders College Principal Angela Cox said: 

“I am delighted that the creativity and hard work of the staff is being recognised in this way. Borders College prides itself on providing our community with the skills they need now and in the future. Accessing and interpreting data is an essential skill irrespective of the sector you want to work in and we are delighted to be working with University of Edinburgh on developing these skills, alongside other City Region Deal partners.”  

Alison Muckersie from University of Edinburgh, the Data-Driven Innovation Skills Gateway lead, commented: 

“The team at the Borders College has embraced the opportunity provided by the significant City Region Deal investment to prepare their students for the fast-changing world of work. Data skills are becoming increasingly important across all jobs and sectors, and are key to ensuring ongoing competitiveness for businesses. By embedding data literacy in their core skills programme the College is recognising this trend and is helping their students to be better equipped for the world of work, regardless of the roles they move into.” 

The programme consists of a pilot group of unemployed individuals that are developing data literacy skills online and meet up with their tutor on a weekly basis for support and advice. This pilot group is learning about Data Citizenship, Data Science, Information Technology Skills and Communication. The group will complete their course in December, with the hope that they will have the skills to gain employment in an increasingly competitive and changing jobs market.  

The digital technology and data revolution has put data at the core of many things, from personal privacy to public health, wealth creation to environmental protection. This is particularly important for employers, whether large or small businesses, public sector organisations or charities, because using data to create or improve products and services is key to unlocking economic growth and job creation. 

By moving to more digital solutions and using data to update business models, organisations can develop and take advantage of new and innovative ways of operating. To do this successfully, businesses need to have a workforce that is fit for purpose. 

Rapidly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics are increasing the demand for highly-skilled workers, but every type of work is affected. It is estimated that 90% of jobs already require digital skills. And while some jobs will disappear altogether as automation spreads, new jobs and whole new areas of work will emerge. 

The college has recognised the importance of developing these skills and has embedded the programme into their core curriculum. It is currently being taught online to over 170 full time students across a range of subjects (Construction, Business, Hospitality, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Sport and Horse care). 

DataLoch heralds new data-driven era in healthcare innovation

A new data repository has been created to bring together health and social care data for the first time, driving forward data-driven approaches to improving care.

DataLoch will enable researchers to engage with private, public and third sector health and social care organisations, using data from across the Edinburgh & South East Scotland region to power research and innovation.

The project takes its name from the industry standard ‘data-lake’, a system or repository of data stored in its natural form.

DataLoch has been funded as part of the University of Edinburgh’s Data-Driven Innovation initiative – part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

The UK is facing an increasing number of health and social care challenges, experts say, including an aging population and increasing numbers of people living with long term conditions.DataLoch aims to create an efficient and safe approach to storing, linking and accessing health and social care data to help researchers tackle these challenges.

The Edinburgh International Data Facility at the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC) will provide a secure and robustly managed facility for the information.

DataLoch has been created jointly by NHS Lothian, Borders and Fife and the University of Edinburgh.

The project was in the first phase of development when the Covid-19 pandemic began. Researchers have since diverted their efforts to focus on Covid-19 data and supporting NHS service managers and clinicians with immediate hospital-based improvements.

Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian said: “DataLoch has already shown its value with the Covid-19 specific data set which has enabled us to explore and address new challenges facing the NHS as a result of the pandemic. We are a learning organisation focused on quality of care and we believe DataLoch will help drive data-enabled innovation within NHS Lothian to continue to improve the efficiency and quality of care we deliver.”

Professor Nick Mills, Chair of Cardiology, University of Edinburgh said: “DataLoch is a unique platform that aligns with the needs of our research community and our health and social care providers. It will promote a data-driven approach to healthcare improvements and enable us to develop a world-leading learning health system in our region.”

City Region collaboration at heart of world-first hub for global open finance

The University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute will host the Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence.

One of the City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation hubs is set to host a newly announced open finance centre that will develop leading research, innovation and educational capabilities to improve the efficiency and safety of data-driven financial services.

The University of Edinburgh’s Futures Institute (EFI) will house the Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence, which has been awarded a £22.5m investment from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund.

The Centre – which is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the Financial Data and Technology Association and Fintech Scotland – aims to provide a neutral, trusted environment for cross-industry cooperation to tackle pressing societal challenges and Open Finance research.

Adam McVey, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Like all cities, Edinburgh’s industries have been hit hard by the impact of Covid-19. But our local economy and institutions are resilient and strong, positioning us well for our recovery from this crisis.

“This City has always placed knowledge and innovation at the heart of everything we do, leaning on the strengths of our financial, creative and tech sectors to work with our world-leading universities and create new jobs. It’s this collaborative approach which led to the City Region Deal – a £1.3bn investment to drive inclusive growth across Edinburgh and South East Scotland and create an economy that everyone who lives and works here can benefit from.

“This will help us build a sustainable future for key industries in the City and shows that our City Region Deal is having a real impact now in the Capital. The pledge of £23m from the Strength in Places Fund is a prime example of Edinburgh’s attractiveness as a place to invest and a vote of confidence in our city’s strengths and sectors. Housed within the Edinburgh Futures Institute, it will create new jobs and training opportunities, drawing on expertise from across our universities, financial services and fintech sector.”

Professor Lesley McAra CBE, Director of the EFI, welcomed the announcement, commenting: “We are delighted that this important Centre will be a part of the EFI eco-system. The Centre aligns with our participatory approach to education and research in a challenge-led environment and in particular with our aim to support inclusive economic growth across the Edinburgh City and the wider City Region. We hope that the Centre will reshape the face of financial services for communities and citizens in the context of the transition from lockdown into Covid-19 recovery.”

EFI Director of FinTech, Dr Gbenga Ibikunle said that the new Centre aligns well with EFI’s approach to Fintech and, as a committed partnership, it would bring established research expertise at the University of Edinburgh together with other Scottish universities and industry partners, creating an opportunity to change the industry for the better. Dr Ibikunle added, “The strong support for the Centre shown by UK regulatory bodies – including the Competition and Markets Authority, Financial Conduct Authority, Information Commissioners Office, and Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation – is a good indication of how important and timely this initiative is.”

Faith Reynolds, Independent Consumer Advocate, said: “Covid-19 has reminded many of us of the value of community and working together for the common good. At the same time, technology has come to the fore connecting us with people and services, highlighting the importance of privacy, independence and the ethical use of data.

“GOFCoE’s establishment is an extremely timely initiative to develop ethics and trust frameworks for data sharing, improving security and privacy for individuals while realising the benefits of data for all society.

“The Money and Pensions Service UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing showed that pre-Covid 11.5m people had less than £100 in savings and 9m were borrowing to pay for essentials. Insights from the Global Economic Observatory will improve our understanding of how people spend, save and earn across the UK. Usually the preserve of large corporates and bigtech, the power of data will be available to everyone including charities and consumer organisations helping them to get help to the people and businesses who need it most, when they need it.”

The bid for the centre was developed through the University of Edinburgh’s Data-Driven Innovation initiative, which is part of the City Region Deal. In addition to the University of Edinburgh, the centre will also work closely with the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, and Stirling, Napier University, Heriot-Watt University and other partners.

For more information, contact: GOFCOE@ed.ac.uk

Fife businesses set to benefit from pioneering Data-Driven Innovation programme

L to R: Jarmo Eskelinen, Director of the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative and Gordon Mole, Head of Service- Business and Employability, Fife Council

Tackling business challenges and opportunities through Data-Driven Innovation 

Fife businesses have started on a journey that will enable them to reap the vast benefits of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) programme that is set to boost economic growth. Business leaders and managers from across Fife recently attended an industry event on how best to drive improvement through data on 26 February, at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Inverkeithing.

Delegates were given new insights into how data can expand the contribution of research to the region’s economy, and increase entrepreneurial activity. Fife businesses were also shown how companies are already using data technologies to enhance commercial performance and the profound impact data innovation is making across diverse sectors.

Jarmo Eskelinen, Director of the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative, shared his experience of working with businesses, universities and city leaders in the UK and Finland to drive improvement and tackle their growth challenges with data.

The 15- year £661m Data-Driven Innovation programme is a key part of the City Region Deal, and is designed to reach out to the whole City Region, so that businesses, public sector bodies and other organisations can use data to improve productivity and develop new products and services.

The University of Edinburgh is collaborating with Heriot-Watt University to create five DDI ‘hubs’ targeting 10 industry sectors across the public, private and third sectors - from creative industries and healthcare to fintech and robotics. The ambitious programme is designed transform the city region into the Data Capital of Europe through better data skills. It aims to train 100,000 people in data skills over the next decade, from computer science specialists to traditional jobs that will increasingly use data.

Gordon Mole, Head of Service- Business and Employability, Fife Council, said: "We are starting to explore the potential for Data Driven Innovation to improve our region’s economy by creating more and better jobs, improving services, while helping some companies to start-up and others to grow.

"This ground-breaking City Region Deal Data-Driven Innovation initiative is enabling a diverse range of organisations to develop and test new services to meet the needs of our communities.

"A number of businesses looked into how data can ensure continuous improvement in your business, and drive economic growth, social change and public services."

Jarmo Eskelinen, Director of the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative, said: “The DDI Programme is committed to supporting local businesses as they experiment and embed data driven innovation into their business processes. This pilot project will allow Fife Council and the University of Edinburgh to support the input of cutting-edge research and expertise into Fife-based businesses, through a new integrated approach to innovation funding support. There is already interest from other City Region local authority partners to trial the approach if this pilot is successful.”

Through this, and other events, the City Region Deal will ensure that organisations from across the region fully benefit from the fast-developing field of Data-Driven Innovation and drive innovation through big data and artificial intelligence.

It is estimated that Scotland needs around 13,000 extra workers each year with data skills as the workplace transforms. Together, the two universities will increase the provision of data science teaching for their students, and support schools and colleges across the region to provide digital skills teaching and training. The region’s supercomputing capabilities will also be strengthened with investment in a data analysis facility, which will help 1,000 organisations use data to innovate.

Companies attending the event included CoorsTek Ltd, Diageo, FLEXCon, Subsea International Ltd, Scott Group, Interface and Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS).

City Region Deal makes key appointment for data skills targets

The City Region Deal is gearing up to help people across Edinburgh and South East Scotland improve their data skills.

The Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) Skills Gateway has appointed Anna Scott as its Project Delivery Manager, to take the lead on Data Education for Work activities.

ANNA SCOTT - project lead manager

Anna will be based in The Data Lab, Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Data and AI, but will work with a wide range of stakeholders from across the region, including employers and training providers.

The Data Education for Work project will develop a suite of programmes to help empower at-risk employees and low-paid workforce across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region to prepare and equip themselves with the skills to take advantage of jobs that will be shaped by data-driven innovation.

Commenting on her new role, Anna said: “I am delighted to be joining the programme at this exciting time and look forward to working with the DDI Skills Gateway team and colleagues at The Data Lab to bring the Data Education for Work programme to life. Automation is changing the way organisations operate and I'm really excited by the opportunity to lead on the development a new employee-focussed skills programme that aims to empower workers in Edinburgh, South East Scotland and beyond to take full advantage of the changing world of work and the data training opportunities available to them to upskill or retrain.”

The DDI Skills Gateway programme is aiming to enhance data literacy across the skills pathway, including working with school pupils, college and university learners and those in work. A range of approaches are being developed including working alongside teachers to enhance the data curriculum in schools, developing short courses for college learners including women returners, and embedding data skills in undergraduate courses.

Anna joins the DDI Skills Gateway from the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (Scotland's ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership), where she led on programmes of activity designed to connect doctoral research with policy and industry. This included working closely with the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland on a national internships programme, the creation of a mentoring scheme with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the delivery of industry-focused skills training initiatives to increase business engagement with the social sciences.

Relevant links:

• Data Driven Innovation website

• The Data Lab website