skip to main content
Close
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants
South West College logo
  • SWC
  • Find a course
    • Courses A-Z
    • School Leaver (16-18)
    • Higher Education
    • 14-16 Provision
    • Adult Learners (19+)
    • Parents & Carers
    • Employers
    • Subject Areas
    • International Programmes
    •  
    • Apprenticeships
    • Skills for Life
    • Traineeships
    • Mentor Connect
    •  
    • Higher Level Apprenticeships
    • I want to be a HLA
    • I want to employ a HLA
    • Course Help
    • How to Apply/Enrol
    • Course Fees
    • Qualifications Explained
    •  
    • Social Inclusion
    • Going Places
    • College Connect
    • SUSE+
    • Sectoral Employability Academies
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Download a Prospectus page
    View All Prospectuses

    Need Help Applying for a course?

    Contact admissions@swc.ac.uk and a member of our admissions team will get back to you
    How to Apply
    • Student Support
    • Careers Guidance
    • Career Builder
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Learning Support
    • Carers
    • Student Finance
    • Student Handbook
    •  
    •  
    • Student Life
    • Meet Our Students
    • Term Dates
    • Events
    • Way Out West
    • Turing Scheme
    •  
    • Digital Learning
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Student Handbook page

    Student Handbook

    Download

    Funding Support for Students

    As a student there are a several funding opportunities you can apply to for help with your course related costs.
    More Info
    • Explore Our Campuses
    • Erne Campus
    • Dungannon
    • Omagh
    • Cookstown
    • Technology & Skills
    • Automotive Centre
    • The Workhouse
    •  
    • Enterprise Action Hub
    • Business Services
    • Skill Up
    • Skills Focus and InnovateUs
    • Innovation Vouchers
    • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
    •  
    • Community
    • Recruitment
    • News
    • Corporate
    • Policies & Procedures
    • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Financial Statements
    • College Development Plan
    • Sustainability
    • Privacy & Data Protection
    • Governance
    • Publication Scheme
    • Principals Welcome
    Play video This image (Collage made up of three photos depicting students engaged in photography, art, and IT.) is a link that points to the About page
  • Contact
  • Your List
  • SWC
      • Courses A-Z
      • School Leaver (16-18)
      • Higher Education
      • 14-16 Provision
      • Adult Learners (19+)
      • Parents & Carers
      • Employers
      • Subject Areas
      • International Programmes
      • Apprenticeships
      • Skills for Life
      • Traineeships
      • Mentor Connect
      • Higher Level Apprenticeships
      • I want to be a HLA
      • I want to employ a HLA
      • Course Help
      • How to Apply/Enrol
      • Course Fees
      • Qualifications Explained
      • Social Inclusion
      • Going Places
      • College Connect
      • SUSE+
      • Sectoral Employability Academies
      • Student Support
      • Careers Guidance
      • Career Builder
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Learning Support
      • Carers
      • Student Finance
      • Student Handbook
      • Student Life
      • Meet Our Students
      • Term Dates
      • Events
      • Way Out West
      • Turing Scheme
    • Digital Learning
      • Explore Our Campuses
      • Erne Campus
      • Dungannon
      • Omagh
      • Cookstown
      • Technology & Skills
      • Automotive Centre
      • The Workhouse
      • Business Services
      • Skill Up
      • Skills Focus and InnovateUs
      • Innovation Vouchers
      • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
    • Community
    • Recruitment
    • News
      • Corporate
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
      • Financial Statements
      • College Development Plan
      • Sustainability
      • Privacy & Data Protection
      • Governance
      • Publication Scheme
      • Principals Welcome
    • Enterprise Action Hub
  • Contact
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants

The Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange NI Launched at South West College

The Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange NI launched on Wednesday 8th November at South West College, Dungannon Campus. This event celebrated the strong evolution of partnership between education and businesses in the South West region, and showcased the accelerated level of knowledge exchanges taking place to strengthen Northern Ireland’s innovation capability for the future.

Diarmuid McLean, Head of Strategic Policy at the Department for the Economy highlighted the importance of innovation in the Department’s draft Industrial Strategy: “Accelerating innovation and research in Northern Ireland and enhancing the education, skills and employability of our people are two of the main pillars in the strategy.” He went on to highlight the central role of Further Education Colleges in the delivery of the aspirations set out in the Strategy.

The launch coincided with the College being recently awarded the Investor in Innovations standard by the UK Institute of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange. Michael McAlister, Chief Executive Officer SWC, said;

“The College is the first organisation in Northern Ireland to achieve this standard and now sits with an elite group of companies and academic institutions across the UK who have shown a commitment to innovation. Achieving the Investor in Innovation Award recognises SWC’s success embedding innovation and dedication to sustaining a strong innovation culture for our staff, students and industry stakeholders”.

The Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (IKE) is the UK’s professional body for innovators responsible for accrediting and certifying innovation practices. IKE’s work is guided by the Innovation Council, which brings together a diverse range of elite innovators representing companies such as Microsoft, Thales, Bosch and Panasonic. As a professional body, the Institute runs think-tanks, conducts research studies and supports organisations to benchmark and develop their innovation capabilities.

Key note speakers at the launch included; Professor Sa’ad Medhat and Rafe Offer who added insights into innovation at the heart of a new era of global thinking. Professor Sa’ad Medhat is the Chief Executive of Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange, the UK professional body for innovators and a leading provider of SciTech innovation and growth services to business, education and government. Rafe Offer has led teams and innovation at some of the world's best known brands as a Global Marketing Director of Coca-Cola, Director of Global Marketing at The Walt Disney Company and a Director of Innovation for global drinks giant Diageo. Most recently, he became an entrepreneur and Co-Founder of global music start-up Sofar Sounds.

For further information about how to get involved or access support for your business please contact: The InnoTech Centre: Tel: 028 8225 5223 or email: info@theinnotechcentre.com

Share

Subscribe
for all stuff Way Out West

graphics-top-left-blue
graphics-top-right-yellow

Footer

Quick Links
  • Track Your Application
  • Vacancies
  • Download a Prospectus
  • Download Our App
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Term Dates
  • Status of Key Services
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • SWC YouTube
  • SWC LinkedIn
  • SWC Instagram
  • SWC Facebook
  • SWC Twitter
Tel: 028 8225 0109
AccessAble Department for the Economy
Payments powered by WorldPay
Payments powered by WorldPay
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2023
Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2023 Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland