Siemens Digital Industries has announced a new academic teaching programme called Connected Curriculum, in partnership with higher education providers.
The University of Sheffield, Liverpool John Moores, Middlesex University, Newcastle University and Manchester Metropolitan University are now signed-up to the initiative.
Each institution will work closely with Siemens to bring advanced industrial tools, data and approaches into their respective apprenticeship, undergraduate and masters courses.
Automation technology supplier and industrial training provider Festo is a key delivery partner for the new curriculum.
The curriculum will bring industrial hardware and software together in to an off-the-shelf bundle that includes simulation environments, curriculum examples, case studies, and real-life problem-solving tutorials.
“Collaboration is central to delivering successful, robust and secure industrial IoT projects,” said Brian Holliday, Siemens Digital Industries managing director.
“Universities can be key partners in this process, often having expertise industry doesn’t such as data science, visualisation and insights into human behaviour including how people engage with technology.
“This is why Siemens developed the MindSphere Innovation Network in partnership with several universities two years ago, which in turn has informed the Connected Curriculum we have announced this week.”
Manchester Metropolitan University will embed the programme in its new Industry 4.0 Masters courses in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Professor Andy Gibson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University said the institution hopes to bridge the Industry 4.0 skills gap.
“Our partnership will ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of the digital revolution and continue to lead the way in innovation in postgraduate education, such as with the suite of six new Industry 4.0 masters degree courses,” he said.