CGI will partner with Edinburgh Napier University to support their joint vision of an improved stakeholder experience for those involved in higher education, while also growing the Scottish digital economy by investing in a skilled workforce.

Edinburgh Napier has also joined CGI’s Sustainability Exploration and Environmental Data Science (SEEDS) programme, which is a research programme in partnership with academia and the United Nations.

Through this programme, the organisations jointly launched a digital twin centre of excellence where five pilot projects have been initiated.

Looking forward, the partnership aims to create sustainability examples to improve stakeholder experiences, such as CGI DataTwin360 ­– a digital twinning technology incorporating augmented reality which streams real-time data and provides carbon accounting that will deliver insights for the University. 

CGI and Edinburgh Napier University will also explore the potential of digital transformation in a university setting, using emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, collaboration toolsets and Artificial Intelligence. The partnership will evolve on a business case by business case basis, with the potential to extend it to other partners such as public sector bodies, colleges and universities.

“We are thrilled to have signed this agreement with Edinburgh Napier University, and are also very pleased that they have joined CGI’s SEEDS programme,” said Lindsay McGranaghan, senior vice president, Scotland and Northern Ireland at CGI.

“As a recognised global provider of IT and business consulting services, we are looking forward to bringing our unique expertise to the university, and to support their vision for a new, sustainable, far-reaching digital stakeholder experience.” 

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Edinburgh Napier is already one of the universities in Scotland with which CGI has a Graduate Apprenticeship Programme. This allows apprentices to study towards a BSc Honours in IT Management for Business, while also working on real-life projects at CGI, with a paid starting salary. 

“This new partnership is a natural extension of our already excellent relationship,” continued McGranaghan. “The university not only supports our Graduate Programme but also collaborates with us on other ground-breaking initiatives. These can now be enhanced to involve other educational establishments who share our values of investing in new, innovative, and proactive intellectual property.”

Professor Nick Antonopoulos, deputy vice chancellor and director of research at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Our partnership will aim to strengthen the University’s ability to digitise important services for staff and students. It will also create opportunities for collaborative research and the joint development of IP in the fields of health, wellbeing and sustainability.”