Innovation is vital to the UK’s future economic prosperity, growth and wealth. It is therefore crucial that we understand how and where innovation occurs.

This NESTA report focuses on the high technology sectors and examines how ‘hidden innovation’ is helping businesses  adapt to the challenges of international competition.

The report cites the influential Dialogic Consulting report ‘Developing The Future 2007’ researched and written for Microsoft, the BCS and City University that forms part of ongoing research by Dialogic into the UK software and computing economy. This report and research examines four key themes: Globalisation, Innovation, Education & Skills and Computing Technology Futures.

In addition Dialogic Consulting’s Michael Bowkis was quoted as saying ‘ ...The education system fails to ‘pull through’ young people from school into university and then into the work place... There is a need to increase the number of young people studying STEM subjects, as these subjects are often required for a career in the sector...’

Bowkis goes on to argue that ‘...At the university level, concerns are that degrees do not keep pace with how quickly the sector is evolving and that graduates do not always have the necessary work-ready skills...’

In Dialogic Consulting’s latest research report, presented at City University London Computing The Higher Education Issue - Influencing Policy, Professionalism & Growth in the UK Knowledge Economy’, this problem is analysed in greater detail. The research suggests that the current HE provision in Computing is not fit for purpose. This ongoing research is uncovering key reasons for the current decline in university applications and acceptances for computing.