Leading technologist talks innovation at Masood Enterprise Centre’s latest event

IBM’s Chief Technology Officer for the UK and Ireland, Professor Andy Stanford-Clark, visited the Masood Enterprise Centre on Wednesday 2nd October to address students about innovation and entrepreneurship at a showcase talk in the School of Computer Science.

Andy is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor with more than 40 patents, and has a long background in Internet of Things technologies. He has a BSc in Computing and Mathematics, and a PhD in Computer Science, is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and holds visiting and honorary professorial positions at a number of Universities.

Addressing a packed audience of students from various academic disciplines across the University, Andy talked about his experiences as a corporate entrepreneur, innovator and serial problem solver in a lecture titled, ‘Innovation Begins At Home’. Using his knowledge of the computer industry and his passion for making things happen he showed why personal enterprising behaviour is so vital for innovation. He illustrated his talk with examples from the management of ferry crossings and animatronic dinosaurs at a local theme park to the future of quantum computing.

He commented: “I tend to get involved in projects that excite me. You end up giving 150% automatically from the outset because of that.”

He also shared his five top tips for success; there’s only one person that cares about your career (and it’s not your manager); don’t create technology for technologies sake, solve real world problems instead; don’t work in isolation; don’t be afraid of failure and most importantly do something you’re passionate about!

IBM sponsor Venture Further, the Masood Enterprise Centre’s annual business start-up competition for all current students, researchers and recent alumni across The University of Manchester.

The Masood Enterprise Centre is the focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes for students, graduates and staff and our aim is to encourage and support the growth of start-up businesses across the Campus.