New Zealand telco Spark has partnered with the Tech Futures Lab – a private graduate school — to create a Postgraduate Certificate in Connected Environments.
They say the partnership “will give students first-hand experience in the IoT industry, with access, insight and in-depth knowledge in a bid to increase the adoption of IoT in New Zealand to create career pathways in the space.”
It is a 34-week part time programme that covers the technology, business and governance necessary for successfully creating and managing IoT systems.
The partners say the programme has been created from industry insight that highlights the importance of the intersection between networks, hardware, software and data.
“The programme was developed in consultation with leading industry experts and will be delivered in a blended learning model of live-online sessions and hands-on practical workshops. …
“The blended learning model also opens up participation to all parts of New Zealand and extends the opportunity for any business, no matter the industry, discovering how they can implement future ready technology. … Students will come away knowing exactly what their IoT systems market opportunity is and have a project roadmap to begin development and delivery.”
The programme is positioned as being deal for business leaders, enterprise managers, agencies and not-for-profit organisations that want to learn how to maximise the value and benefits the rapidly changing IoT sector offers. The first intake starts 17 November 2020.
Real world experience will be gained
Spark will provide real world experience by giving students access to 5G and IoT developers, business leaders and innovators.
Tech Futures Lab founder, Frances Valintine, said the programme had been designed “specifically to support the discovery of future technologies and the countless ways connected environments and IoT systems can provide value every day.”
She said, by placing students in the heart of digital transformation driven by IoT and data they could start to realise how the technology could create a more resilient and sustainable country.
Spark IoT Lead, Tony Agar said: “Recent graduates, business leaders and entrepreneurs can take the next step to future proof their careers by immersing themselves in technology which will soon be standard to implement in every business.
Australian university IoT programmes
Australia has a number of university IoT programmes. In October 2019 James Cook University formed a partnership with Software AG has under which Software AG provides its Cumulocity IoT platform and its industrial expertise to support a major in Electronic Systems and Internet of Things (IoT) Engineering within the university’s Bachelor of engineering (Hons) course. In September 2019 La Trobe University launched Australia’s first Australian IoT Masters course, and in June 2020 Murdoch University launched its IoT- focused Digital Futures Academy.
