3 October 2007

University of Dundee joins with 2in10 to launch pioneering computing module

*** Photo opportunity - 9.45 am, Thursday October 4th
Queen Mother Building, Balfour Place,
Computing students working on the new module

A new generation of Scottish computer software students is to learn technology marketing secrets at a unique new module to be launched this month by the University of Dundee.

The University’s School of Computing has signed an agreement with 2in10 Ltd, a technology venture management firm based in Glasgow, to incorporate its intellectual property in Product Management and Product Marketing into the School’s existing BSc degree courses in E-Commerce Computing and Applied Computing. This will take the form of an elective module to be taught by 2in10’s directors and specialist associates, and will also involve active Scottish technology entrepreneurs delivering case study projects.

The Technology Innovation Management module will cover such issues as:

• An overview of global technology marketing techniques and processes
• The characteristics of a market-led product development culture
• How to design a commercially-focused product development process
• Gathering Market Requirements
• Applying Product Marketing techniques

"This is an exciting move by Dundee University, certainly the first of its kind in Scotland and perhaps in the UK," said Professor Peter Gregor, Dean of the School of Computing. "The time is long past when it was sufficient for the best universities to produce graduates who were simply excellent in their own specialist area; in the School of Computing at Dundee we recognise that in an increasingly competitive job market it is the extent to which our graduates can exploit their knowledge that gives them the edge."

"That is the reason why we are introducing modules such as Technology Innovation Management, to ensure that the student experience is right up to date with best industry practice. The initiative will enable our students to add immediate value to the companies they join by virtue of the real world expertise they will acquire through our partnership with 2in10."

Student Rob Ryder-Richardson, one of the class who will be working on the new module, said, "It’s a fantastic module, further developing our skills in software development and business understanding for the real world".

David Farquhar, 2in10 CEO, added: "We strongly believe that today’s software engineering graduates need technical marketing skills and knowledge to be able to help their companies to build genuinely commercial products that markets want to buy. We have distilled over 300 years of technology product marketing and sales experience in to our programmes, and are delighted to be able to deploy them for the benefit of students at Dundee University’s School of Computing."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About 2in10 - www.2in10.com
2in10 is a venture management firm founded in 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland with the aim of improving the growth rate of the indigenous UK technology sector, by applying globally recognised industry-specific best practise in marketing and sales.

The 2in10 team comprises seasoned technology industry veterans, each a domain specialist in one of the key areas of product management, product marketing, third party sales channel design, direct and in-direct sales management and product engineering.

Managing Directors of the organisation include: David Farquhar, founder and CEO of Idesta and COO of the Interactive University; Alastair Balfour, co-founder and MD of Insider Group; Benny Placido, CEO of Pilgrim Systems; Gordon Stuart, founder and CEO of Spectra, and North American Director Tim Scannell, founder and President of Shoreline Research, based in Boston, MA (USA).

Collectively, the 2in10 team offers 350 years sales and marketing experience in the technology sector, delivered by coaching, knowledge transfer and interim management. The company maintains offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Boston, Tokyo, the UK and Dubai and is dedicated to helping companies drive the recruitment and management of channel partners in key target markets in North America, Asia and Europe.

To date 2in10 has worked with over 15 early to mid-stage companies in a range of software, electronics and device manufacturing sectors and has trained over 300 members of technology sector management teams.

About the School of Computing - www.computing.dundee.ac.uk
Computing at Dundee aims to be at the forefront of developing inter-disciplinary research and teaching. Core programmes relate to Assistive & Healthcare Technologies, Computational Research, Space Technology, and Interactive Systems. Teaching takes place in the award-winning new Queen Mother Building.

For more information on 2in10 Ltd please contact:
David Farquhar david.farquhar@2in10.com Mob: 0780 144 2074, Tel: 0141 404 6318

For more information on the School of Computing please contact:
Peter Gregor pgregor@computing.dundee.ac.uk, Mob 07855 234715 Tel 01382 384145

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk