|5 August 2016|
Scotland
Innovators Magazine is backing the new Innovation Academy which launches in Glasgow today. Broadcaster and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli, who was named the Creative Director last month, will host an impressive line-up of professionals at the city’s stunning CitizenM Hotel.
The Academy is being supported by us and is also partnered with Glasgow City of Science and Bigmicball among others. Aimed at professionals and young pioneers, it will strive to share the breadth of skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an environment of perpetual change.
And it aims to do so by tapping into a network of international business leaders and social innovators to deliver a diverse range of courses.
Hardeep Singh Kohli
Hardeep told Innovators: “We are going to harness the expertise, the success, the brilliance of an international fellowship of industry leaders. We will share and create new information and management solutions.”
He revealed exciting new technology will be incorporated into the Academy’s courses and events, not just for entertainment purposes but to look at how it can benefit businesses.
Hardeep also said the Academy is developing an e-learning portal that is going to function in a way which encourages interaction with the concept of change.
The Academy will have a range of programme streams, including courses for young pioneers, start-ups and women. Connecting people with funding opportunities and support will also be a feature of the Academy’s work.
Susan Robertson, the Academy’s director, said: “With advances in technology and a rapidly increasing global population, innovation will be at the heart of creating a sustainable economy and society.
“We want to look at where the biggest challenges are and identify how innovation can help overcome them.
“Our Advisory Board will continually assess the challenges faced by industry and society so that it can best advise on the development of programmes which most effectively equip individuals and organisations to overcome them. We will use our network of industry leaders and the latest technology to support people and organisations working in the innovation economy.”
Today’s launch event will provide a taster of what’s to come and will focus on driving innovation through cross-sectoral collaboration.
Paul MacAlindin, an internationally-acclaimed conductor and author of Upbeat: The Story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq, will join Hardeep, as well as Rosemary Gallagher from the Scotch Whisky Association and Siobhan Jordan, chief executive of Interface – which connects industry and academia, to deliver the opening taster session.
Rosemary Gallagher, Scotch Whisky Association head of communications, said: “I’m delighted to take part in the launch event for the Innovation Academy. The event’s focus on innovation and collaboration is relevant to the global success of the Scotch Whisky industry. Scotch Whisky has been popular for hundreds of years and it innovates to meet changing demand, while holding onto the tradition and heritage that people love.”
Collaboration is one of the Academy’s four themes, which its sessions will be built around, along with change, creativity and internationalisation.
The Academy will also be launching in other areas of Scotland, and across the UK.
