Windows CEO Satya Nadella. Image: Wikimedia Commons
DCU is hosting an event with Satya Nadella on 3 October, with the Microsoft CEO due to talk about his vision for the future of learning.
It has been a busy few months for Microsoft, even taking into consideration the standard amount of business dealings a tech giant undergoes on a daily, hourly basis.
In March it revealed it would be expanding SQL Server, making it available on Linux by next year. In June it paid $26bn to acquire professional social network LinkedIn.
Today (26 September), Microsoft partnered up with Adobe to expand its cloud capabilities and that’s all before you look at what the company is doing in Ireland.
There was the privacy battle it waged with the US government, all from its Dublin base. Then the move to build four new data centres in Dublin, to the tune of $900m and almost 2,000 jobs including construction.
All of this will presumably be up for discussion with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella come October, at a Dublin City University event looking at the future of learning.
Given the skills gap both in Ireland and on a global setting – affecting Microsoft as much as any other major tech employer at the moment – a clear avenue from education to employment is key. Gaining insight from someone in Nadella’s position, so, could prove valuable.
On the back of its Global Skills Index 2016 report, recruiter Hays today warned that a 14pc widening of the skills gap in Europe since 2011 has created a “chasm” across industries.
Automation and robots could prove a solution, according to the new report. Already replacing workers in manual roles such as manufacturing, modern machines can now even drive, diagnose and write documentation.
Upskilling people so that they can forge a career in science and technology is the obvious follow on, with Nadella presumably on hand to highlight the various areas that need focus in future.
Hosted at DCU’s St Patrick’s campus in Drumcondra, attendees need to register beforehand.
Look who's coming to @DublinCityUni – open to everyone, free event, register now!https://t.co/D1aNDSWrtC pic.twitter.com/IpueMzinZI
— DCU Ryan Academy (@RyanAcademy) September 23, 2016
