Comments on: Economic stimulation would be a result of universal NGN investment http://www.trefor.net/2009/11/03/economic-stimulation-would-be-a-result-of-universal-ngn-investment/ Insider comments from the world of communications Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:56:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lindsey Annison http://www.trefor.net/2009/11/03/economic-stimulation-would-be-a-result-of-universal-ngn-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-1266 Lindsey Annison Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:04:50 +0000 http://www.trefor.net/?p=1778#comment-1266 There are some around the country who have been pushing to get academia involved in the tech development and advances required at both industry and community/citizen level - cyberdoyle springs to mind but is by no means the only one. We need a change in attitude first though. The big problem appears to be a failure within academia to even accept that they need to 'mix and mingle' with the rest of the world eg commerce and citizens. Worse, as they are ITHO "the great and good", they won't accept that there are many at grassroots and cutting edge outside of their ivy covered walls who know as much if not more than those who profess to have learnt all they know purely through study rather than experience. I approached our local Uni recently about a course they are running on my core skillset. Can I contribute? I know as much about this as anyone and have more years practical experience than almost anyone in the UK. I'd like to help the next generation. "Do you have a degree?" "Nope, but I am a fully qualified adult education teacher, and have 14 years practical experience. The industry only really kicked off in the last 10 years....." Sorry, all we can offer is that you join the course which costs £x000 and contribute in lectures when and if you get the opportunity. I'll get my coat.... There are some around the country who have been pushing to get academia involved in the tech development and advances required at both industry and community/citizen level – cyberdoyle springs to mind but is by no means the only one.

We need a change in attitude first though.

The big problem appears to be a failure within academia to even accept that they need to ‘mix and mingle’ with the rest of the world eg commerce and citizens. Worse, as they are ITHO “the great and good”, they won’t accept that there are many at grassroots and cutting edge outside of their ivy covered walls who know as much if not more than those who profess to have learnt all they know purely through study rather than experience.

I approached our local Uni recently about a course they are running on my core skillset. Can I contribute? I know as much about this as anyone and have more years practical experience than almost anyone in the UK. I’d like to help the next generation. “Do you have a degree?” “Nope, but I am a fully qualified adult education teacher, and have 14 years practical experience. The industry only really kicked off in the last 10 years…..” Sorry, all we can offer is that you join the course which costs £x000 and contribute in lectures when and if you get the opportunity.

I’ll get my coat….

]]>