Google the latest big-hitter to involve University of Bedfordshire BCS

Wed 10 December, 2014

A talk by a Google employee is the latest involvement by an industry big-hitter in the University of Bedfordshire’s BCS (The Chartered Institute for Information Technology) Student Chapter.

Chris Snell, an industry manager at the internet corporation, spoke at an event entitled “The Future of Technology and Innovation”, which was jointly-organised by the student BCS and its associated Bedford branch.

Chris’ lecture, which took place at Cranfield University on December 2, followed on from a visit to Selex ES, an international leader in electronic and information solutions, on November 26.

The link with Selex, who employ 17,000 people in the aerospace, defence and security sectors (amongst others), is one of many connections and partnerships set up by the University BCS and the Department of Computer Science and Technology. Industry partners include Randstad UK, Fujitsu Services and Rohde Schwarz UK.

The University’s student BCS was launched over the summer, in coordination with the Bedford BCS, holding its first meeting on October 28. Around 100 students attended the event, which featured guest speakers including the likes of Nathan Spence, an electronics engineer at MBDA Missile Systems, Elizabeth Sheldon, who works in digital forensics at Evidence Talks, and Sue Brandreth from the BCS Bedford Branch.

Gordon Brady, Business Interaction Manager in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, said the BCS is working wonders to increase the employability of the department’s students.

“Giving employers the chance to meet the students directly, and providing an informal venue to network afterwards, means that students have the chance to impress with their personal skills, as well as their technical knowledge,” he said.

“The society guest lecture series has already led to a potential placement offer with EvidenceTalks in Milton Keynes and 3 placements in robotics and AI with firms in Luton.”

“This sort of added value is something the University of Bedfordshire is proud to lead on.”

Lecturer in Engineering Mathematics and Computing Dr Jon Hitchcock added:

“Forming a society and making it a Student Chapter of the BCS allows our computing students to interact with the world of computing and companies outside the University.”