Sunshine, punting and immersion in academic discussion were key features of the Masters Degree in Data Centre Leadership and Management bootcamp in Cambridge in June. In a city where academic inspiration seeps out of the very walls, learners on the distance learning program engaged with high profile speakers, industry experts and program lecturers.
The bootcamp was opened by two inspirational tech leaders in a public lecture. Dean Nelson, Head of Global Compute for Uber and Russell Poole, MD UK of Equinix presented very different but equally forward looking lectures on the future of business in the digital age. Thought provoking and challenging discussion centred on the emerging capabilities required of leaders and managers in the data centre sector.
The remainder of the bootcamp sessions were reserved exclusively for learners. Updates with the physical library at Anglia Ruskin University and sessions on the post graduate major project provided delegates with an opportunity to develop skills to underpin academic achievement.
For the final two days, the group decamped to the beautiful riverside hotel where swans, river punts and meandering cattle peppered the view from the ‘classroom’. Leading guest speakers from Ford, Sky, Computer Weekly, the sustainability industry, 6degrees and CNet Training challenged delegates to apply learning from the academic realm to the practical.
However, it was not all hard work, a tour of Cambridge took in sites relevant to the technology and science arenas and punting with pint rounded off a hard day of intellectual stimulation. The formal dinner at the elegant Hotel Du Vin allowed interaction with speakers, lecturers, CNet staff and management.
Overall, the event drew very positive feedback from delegates but this sums up the sentiment across the board.
“It was a real pleasure meeting my fellow students in such an exciting and interesting city with its rich educational history and to visit the Anglia Ruskin University Campus.
The course up until now has been highly rewarding and the bootcamp was an extension of this. The keynote speakers are leaders in our industry and meeting with fellow “movers and shakers” of the industry was a highly rewarding experience.
The bootcamp was a great opportunity to meet with my fellow international and UK students. I was also impressed with the bootcamp and its well-structured and delivered content, exercises and panel discussions. The tutors have been able to bring together leaders in our field from a variety of backgrounds and with a deep set of knowledge of the data centre industry. Participating and meeting with all people involved was a great privilege and I can thoroughly recommend the bootcamp experience.”
The 2018 bootcamp is currently in the early planning stages and it is recommended that you save the date. Spaces on the next bootcamp will be in high demand so if you can plan to be in Cambridge from the 6th to 8th June inclusive, we’ll look forward to seeing you there.
