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Siddharth’s KEI role in taking the past into the future

11 November 2011

 

Computing graduate Siddharth Pandey is helping to take the past into the future at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

Siddharth, 20, who graduates this November with a BSc (Hons) Computing degree from Teesside University, is currently acting as a software consultant at the museum. He is looking at the web applications used by the museum and how they might be redesigned to better suit current user needs. Siddharth is at the museum through a nine-month Knowledge Exchange Internship (KEI), a business service part funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which is unique to Teesside University. Teesside University leads the way in delivering flexible knowledge transfer projects, bringing a business together with a graduate and a team of specialist experts who transfer their technical know-how, research and innovation to help achieve key business objectives. Laura Woods, the University's Director of Academic Enterprise, said: 'We know from experience that this type of intensive input works for both the company and the graduate. A KEI is ideal for a company needing expert help with a short-term project, perhaps to introduce new technology or new working practices. As well as a full-time graduate on the staff, the company gets academic support to deliver its improvement programme.

'Longer-term programmes of this type, known as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), are extremely successful, but they normally last for two or three years. We realised there was also a need for shorter schemes such as this one to help smaller companies.'

As well as being beneficial to businesses, it’s a route into employment for graduates.

Siddharth said: 'I came from India to complete the final year of the degree, after completing two years in information technology at college in Ahmedabad.

'I had heard a lot about Teesside University through internet forums, where people talked about how good the teaching is. When I came here to study, I found the staff to be very supportive and the whole University to be really good.'

Richard Welsby, head of finance at the Bowes Museum, says he found the setting-up process for the KEI simple and straightforward.

He said: 'The combination of a recent graduate, working full time on the project, supplemented by academic support will maximise the investment we are making in developing our website.'

Siddharth, who is living in Middlesbrough, added: 'For me it's a great opportunity for personal development. I’m looking at the computer systems used by the museum and how they might be redesigned. It’s a great experience, as it involves project management, team work, consultancy and lots of opportunities to develop my skills and put into practice what I learned during my degree.'

The project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing £13,758 ERDF investment.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.


ERDF


 
 
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