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The inaugural IXN (Industry Exchange Network) conference opened Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's Festival of Engineering. The week-long festival, which welcomed over 7,000 attendees, celebrated how engineers are solving some of humanity's biggest problems. The IXN conference demonstrated how students are addressing these major challenges alongside industry, the NHS and charity partners.Ìý

Innovation in education

IXN is a teaching programme for students to acquire hands-on industry experience as a core part of their degree or Master's courses. The students address real-life problems, creating proofs of conceptÌýto meet the needs of end users. Tech companies, including Microsoft, Intel and IBM, mentor the students. The programme is a win-win for all participants.

With an emphasis on using technology to 'do good', projects help the NHS, charities and NGOs, or drive inclusivity, accessibility or sustainability. IXN has been validated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It's also been cited in the UK government's Topol Review, which recommends how to deliver the digital future of the NHS.

Industry partners can explore research and development without risk. IXN acts as a recruitment pipeline for new talent and allows them to collaborate with other technology leaders. Mentoring students provides professional development opportunities for corporate staff.

Graduates are prepared for the workplace, equipped with in-demand technical and softer skills and important professional connections. Students enjoy working on these projects that could make a tangible difference in the world.Ìý ÌýÌý

The IXN pedagogical methodology was established in 2011 by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Computer Science lecturers Professor Dean Mohamedally and Professor Graham Roberts. In 2019, other universities began adopting the IXN framework. IXN is now established at several universities, including the University of Bristol, the University of Westminster, King’s College London and Cyprus University of Technology.

IXN and its subprogrammes

Dean and Graham opened the conference with an overview of IXN. They explained how the methodology enables a university to provide problem-based learning at scale, supporting hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students a year. They underlined the crucial role of a Strategic Alliances Team in managing relationships, contracts, and intellectual property rights.

Two IXN subprogrammes focus on health and humanity. IXN for the NHS, with Dr Atia Rafiq and Professor Julia Manning, enables hospitals and trusts to develop working prototypes. These prototypes aim to improve efficiency or interoperability or deliver better experiences for patients.

Dr Sheena Visram and Professor Husna Ahmad co-chair IXN for Good. IXN for Good collaborates with partners such as the United Nations and the Red Cross to help with crises such as food poverty, climate change and disaster relief.ÌýÌý

How universities are using IXN

Universities shared how their computer science departments use the IXN framework to enable students to work on a broad range of problem-based learning. Many of these projects help the university engage with its local community.

Dr Hana Chockler of King's College London spoke of how students have assisted various London borough councils. One project resulted in a tool to help parents with school applications.

Helena Disu highlighted the University of Westminster's projects. Examples included understanding the impact of flight delays on passengers, a sensory device for food safety checks, and a financial planning app.

Peter Oliver of Bristol University discussed projects that enrich the Bristol area. Students are working with local and community organisations. One prototype focusing on marine research will soon be launched as a product.

The IXN teaching framework has also been adopted beyond computer science. Other departments within Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's Faculty of Engineering and elsewhere in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø are adapting it for their students.

Praise from industry

Microsoft, IBM, Intel, NTT DATA and Avanade delivered engaging talks about the many benefits the network brings them. They enjoy collaborating on tech for good projects. They have hired talented computer scientists they have met through the programme. They also commended the opportunities for staff development and praised the structure and facilitation of the programme.

Newer partners were also present at the conference, including HP, Cisco, Chanel and the National Autistic Society, as well as representatives from the NHS.

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