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University of Suffolk students showcase skills at tech hackathon

Computing students demonstrated their talents to local tech firms at a University of Suffolk hackathon, supported by IJYI, Innovate Suffolk, Suffolk Building Society and enable.services.

Why it matters: The event bridged the gap between education and employment in the region's tech sector, and gave students real-world experience while helping employers identify emerging talent.

The big picture: Students from various computing disciplines, including web and mobile development, data science, cyber security, and AI, worked under pressure to solve industry challenges.

Winners of the hackathon, William King and Travis Brown, with Felix Ngobigha (University of Suffolk) and organiser Lewis Huxtable (IJYI)
Winners of the hackathon, William King and Travis Brown, with Felix Ngobigha (University of Suffolk) and organiser Lewis Huxtable (IJYI)(enable.services)

What they're saying: "Events like these help students gain confidence, sense-check their progress, and develop both their technical and soft skills, something we often hear is needed in today's workforce," said Sam Parnell from enable.services and Innovate Suffolk.

Parnell, who also sits on the Digital Skills Group monitoring digital education across Norfolk and Suffolk, added: "Our group have heard from many employers who report that soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability, are just as vital as technical knowledge."

The bottom line: Through events like this hackathon, Suffolk's tech sector is actively helping local students develop the skills needed for modern tech careers. Congratulations to winners William King and Travis Brown.

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