Author: Jose Villagran, UIIN
In an era where digital transformation is both a need and a challenge, the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector is under growing pressure to adapt to technological advancements. To make a positive impact, the DigiFABS project has started the development of a bootcamp for university educators and SMEs working in the F&B sector. The aim is to prepare them for the ‘SME Goes Digital Challenge’.
Conceptualising the DigiFABS Bootcamps
Currently in its conceptualisation phase, the DigiFABS bootcamps are being designed to match the needs and contexts of both university educators and SMEs. The bootcamp modules will cover various aspects of the F&B sector, including industry trends, green practices, nutrition, and resilience, as well as the concept of Responsible Dynamic Digital Change Agent (RDDCA Agent) as a role who can support the digitalisation of the companies and ensure they stay ahead of the curve. The main focus is to prepare participants through a mix of seminar-style sessions complemented by interactive workshops. The workshops aim to enhance the collaboration between universities and SMEs, encouraging knowledge exchange, networking and joint activities.
A feature of the DigiFABS Bootcamps is its commitment to fostering an environment of collaboration. A special session within the bootcamp framework will revolve around preparing educators and SME representatives to work effectively together. Thus, the bootcamps aim at:
- Equipping Educators: Educators will get ready to act as facilitators during the ‘SME Goes Digital Challenge’, ensuring they have access to all they need in order to guide and support the students in addressing the SMEs’ challenges.
- Empowering SMEs: SMEs will receive guidance and advice to communicate their needs and challenges effectively, ensuring their challenges are understood by educators and students, and can be addressed during the ‘SME Goes Digtial Challenge’.
The SME Goes Digital Challenge
The SME Goes Digital Challenge is a challenge-based learning initiative that brings together multidisciplinary teams of university students, educators and SMEs. The initiative will encourage these teams to collaboratively identify and design solutions to the digitalisation challenges faced by SMEs in the F&B sector.
The bootcamps will prepare educators and SMEs for the challenge, while a different DigiFABS activity, the Summer School, will prepare students for it, thus ensuring that all participants are ready to play their part.
The Importance of Partner Collaboration
The development and implementation of the DigiFABS Bootcamps requires a strong alignment between UIIN, the leader of the activity, and the rest of the consortium, especially FH Münster, the project coordinator, and Maynooth University, the leader of the Summer School. The bootcamps, scheduled to be piloted and delivered online in the summer of 2025, will be a crucial milestone in the journey towards achieving DigiFABS goal: empowering SMEs in the F&B sector to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to respond to rapid digital advancement in the sector.
Stay tuned for the latest developments in this and other DigiFABS activities!
