Three universities to drive digital innovation across UK SMEs with Hartree National Centre

May 11, 2023

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Three universities to drive digital innovation across UK SMEs with Hartree National Centre

Digital innovation has become a top priority for businesses worldwide, and the UK is no exception. In fact, the UK government has initiated the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation (HNCDI) program, which seeks to improve digital adoption across businesses, targeting funding and support for UK SMEs. Under this program, three universities have been awarded a share of funding to drive digital innovation across UK SMEs.

The three universities involved in this program are the University of Liverpool, Durham University, and the University of Sheffield. These universities will receive funding to support digital innovation and help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) adopt the latest digital technologies. The main objective is to enable UK businesses to develop new capabilities and gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Hartree Centre SME Hubs

The HNCDI program aims to provide a competitive advantage to these businesses by developing Hartree Centre SME hubs that promote digital support tools that are readily available and accessible to UK SMEs. The program will fund the hubs for three years to help create a sustainable impact on the businesses. The Hartree Centre will work closely with the universities involved in the program to train regional UK SMEs in adopting digital technology.

The Hartree Centre SME hubs will enable these businesses to leverage emerging technologies such as supercomputing and artificial intelligence. The SME hubs will provide a platform for these businesses to collaborate and share knowledge on the latest digital technologies that can improve their efficiency and profitability.

Training regional UK SMEs on digital technology adoption

The Hartree Centre SME hubs will offer training programs for regional UK SMEs on digital technology adoption. Using the expertise from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) that houses the Hartree Centre, the universities will help these SMEs improve their digital capabilities and provide an unparalleled network of support.

The universities involved in this program will provide their expertise to train the employees of these SMEs, ensuring that they are well-versed in the latest digital technologies. This training will help SMEs to stay competitive in the digital marketplace and contribute to the economic growth of the country.

Funding for the Hartree Centre

Apart from the SME hubs, the Hartree Centre will receive a further £210 million for a five-year program to drive more innovation in computing and research. This funding will enable the Hartree Centre to collaborate with industry leaders like IBM, a cloud and AI company, through the STFC’s Hartree Centre, with the aim of providing advanced training to UK businesses and SMEs on emerging technologies.

Comments from the Minister of State and the STFC Executive Chair

The Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, George Freeman, expressed his excitement and support for the program. He stated, “The funding announced today will go even further to turn great science and technology into great business, providing an unrivaled network of support for those SMEs who are adopting emerging technologies. It’s important to us that support for digital technology adoption reaches as many companies across the UK as possible, and the Hartree Centre SME hubs will enhance that regional access.”

Professor Mark Thomson, STFC Executive Chair, also commented on the program’s significance. He said, “These SME hubs will enable UK businesses to turn burgeoning technologies such as supercomputing and artificial intelligence into new capabilities that will give them a competitive edge in the global marketplace.”

In conclusion, the HNCDI program and the Hartree Centre SME hubs are significant initiatives that will help SMEs in the UK adopt digital technologies, develop new capabilities, and remain competitive in the digital marketplace. The program will enable SMEs to learn about the latest digital technologies and improve their digital capabilities through training and support. The government’s commitment to advancing technology and innovation through the Hartree Centre and collaborating with industry leaders highlights their dedication to supporting small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. With the digital marketplace evolving rapidly, it is essential that SMEs in the UK keep up with the latest technologies and remain competitive globally.

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