Deep tech is reshaping industries by solving complex problems through the combined power of science, engineering, and design, including advanced fields like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, robotics, biotech, and quantum computing.
For professionals across all sectors, including higher education, staying relevant as these technologies evolve requires upskilling. In higher education, deep tech is already enhancing research, streamlining administrative workflows, and creating personalised student experiences. For educators, curriculum designers, and administrators, upskilling has become crucial for leading these innovations within their institutions and preparing for a tech-integrated future.
By engaging in focused professional development programs, such as the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative, higher education professionals gain critical skills to adapt their roles and ensure their institutions stay agile. This training not only helps secure their own career futures but also enhances their institution’s capacity to integrate deep tech effectively.
In education, AI is increasingly used to automate tasks, optimise resource management, and personalise learning based on predictive data, improving both student engagement and success. Blockchain enables the secure storage of academic records, giving students control over their data and enabling tamper-proof digital credentials, which simplify verification processes. Meanwhile, Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart boards and sensors allow real-time data collection, enhancing classroom interactivity, tracking student progress, and optimising campus energy and security systems. These technologies are creating a modernised learning environment while reducing operational costs.
Why Upskill in Deep Tech?
Upskilling in deep tech offers significant advantages for higher education professionals, enabling them to future-proof their careers, remain competitive, and drive innovation. As AI, blockchain, and automation reshape job roles, professionals who acquire relevant skills are better equipped to adapt, staying resilient in a shifting job market.
Mastering these technologies not only enhances one’s value within an organisation but also opens doors to promotions and leadership roles, signalling a forward-thinking approach. Deep tech expertise empowers professionals to lead digital transformation, making education more personalised and efficient while fostering collaboration across departments. Moreover, new roles are emerging that blend traditional educational knowledge with tech, such as managing AI projects or designing data-driven curriculums, which upskilling helps prepare for.
Deep tech skills also facilitate international collaboration, allowing professionals to leverage tools like AI for virtual meetings and blockchain for secure data sharing—key assets in a globally connected educational landscape.
Embracing deep tech now is essential for staying relevant and impactful in this fast-evolving field.
With deep tech’s rapid adoption predicted to accelerate over the next decade, it’s crucial for higher education professionals to act now and prepare talents for emerging opportunities in deep tech.
Ultimately, deep tech is reshaping the education landscape, and targeted professional development, is growing in importance.
Explore upskilling at Deep Tech Skills Days 2024
On day 1 of the conference, there is a panel on deep tech talent development with insights from industry, university, and training providers, and Liene Briede (Vice-Rector for Innovations, Riga Technical University) will be giving a keynote speech on ‘where do deep tech talents come from?’, while day 2 of the conference is very much ‘talent’ focused.
Additionally, there are plenty of breakout sessions on deep tech training and upskilling across the two days, including:
- CYRUS project: enhance your cybersecurity skills, by EIT Manufacturing, shows how through tailor-made cybersecurity trainings, the CYRUS project supports SMEs as well as companies from manufacturing and transport to enhance their staff’s cybersecurity skills. This helps to better recognise threats and mitigate risks.
- Building a Lifelong Learning Portfolio for Tech Skills: Strategies to Shape Meaningful Societal impact by Delft University of Technology, showcases TU Delft’s portfolio strategy to upskill professionals aligned with research and education themes, discussing what worked and how they aim for impact using the Theory of Change approach.
- The Journey Continues: Upskilling and Reskilling your Workforce with the EIT Campus, explores how the EIT Campus can help organisations address skills gaps and talent shortages through continuous upskilling and reskilling.
- Bridging the AI Skills Gap in Europe, highlights NVIDIA’s programs and resources for upskilling Europe’s workforce in AI, accelerated computing, and HPC programming to address the current skills gap.
- Upskilling for the AI Revolution: Practical Strategies & Success Stories by Generator Pomysłów, discusses strategies for developing AI expertise, sharing case studies from industry leaders to highlight the transformative power of AI upskilling.
- International Industry Engagement Workshop on Cybersecurity by DIGITAL INNOVATION ZONE (DIZ EDIH), Riga Technical University, FORT, Expertware, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya focuses on trends in cybersecurity and innovative solutions with open discussions to address the challenges and demand for advanced skills.
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