DIGIT’s Top-trending Stories

Tech Nation calls on Scottish firms to get involved in growth programmes

Applications are now open for Tech Nation’s Upscale, Rising Stars & Future Fifty growth programmes – and Scottish tech firms should definitely get involved. @TechNation https://t.co/zpS2nrKZvO

— DIGIT (@digitfyi) September 17, 2019

Applications are open for the three flagship Tech Nation growth programmes, which are designed to scale and grow the next generation of UK tech businesses.

The Future Fifty, Upscale and Rising Stars programmes boast prestigious alumni including Monzo, Starling Bank, Deliveroo and Skyscanner.

Each of the Tech Nation growth programmes help companies with access to networks and investors, assistance in expanding internationally and also accessing top talent.

Hazel Gibbens, Tech Nation’s entrepreneur engagement manager for Scotland, urged Scottish companies to get involved. Previous Scottish firms involved in Tech Nation’s growth programmes include LendingCrowd and Administrate, both based in Edinburgh.

“LendingCrowd, Administrate and MSquared Lasers are only some of the Scottish-based companies that have already taken part in Tech Nation’s growth programmes,” she said. “I hope that we will see more Scottish representation on the programmes this year, not only from Edinburgh and Glasgow but from rapidly growing hubs such as Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee.”

Want to find out more? Check out the original article here.

Glasgow student sets up initiative to help Africa’s young scientists

@UofGlasgow PhD computing science student @soolaosebikan, aims to teach and empower young people with the skills needed to help drive innovation across Africa through her @PWSAfrica initiative. #UofGWorldChanger #STEM #digitalskills https://t.co/EmYFCOpA0g

— DIGIT (@digitfyi) September 16, 2019

A Computing Science student at the University of Glasgow has set up an initiative to help train young scientists in Africa.

The PWSAfrica project, led by PhD student Sofiat Olaosebikan, aims to teach and empower young people with the skills needed to help drive innovation across Africa.

Inspired by her own experience as an undergraduate studying at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Olaosebikan said it was her lack of access to programming education in Africa that gave her the idea to start her initiative.

Olaosebikan, who is a student at the College of Science and Engineering, said: “There are lots of problems in Africa that need to be solved. My goal is to raise an army of intellectuals that are going to contribute to the development of Africa.

“I want to empower young scientists in Africa with the skills to help them bridge the gap between their pre-existing knowledge and real-world scientific problems. I believe that this will help them grow to become innovative thinkers who will push Africa forward on the frontiers of science and technology.

“I am a good example of one such African scientist who was empowered by the opportunities I have been given. This initiative was born out of a strong desire to give back to the community by helping other young scientists in Africa and show them what is possible.”

Want to find out more? Check out the original article here.

First Borders schoolchildren to benefit from iPad roll-out

Around 400 pupils at Selkirk High School are the first to use #iPads through a digital learning scheme. https://t.co/XBt56YWUHi

— DIGIT (@digitfyi) September 18, 2019

Hundreds of schoolchildren at Selkirk High School in the Borders are the first to use iPads as part of a digital learning scheme.

More than 400 hundred pupils and 34 teachers have been given access to the devices following the rollout, which is part of the £16 million Inspire Learning initiative

Eight more schools in the Borders region will be equipped with iPads during the 2019/20 academic year, with primary schools to follow in 2020/21.

Kelso, Hawick and Earlston High Schools are set to benefit before Christmas this year, Scottish Borders Council said.

When the initiative is completed, every pupil from P6 to S6 will receive an iPad, with younger pupils given access to a shared device. So far, teachers have noticed significant benefits of the deployment, such as improved pupil engagement, increased participation and better communication.

Want to find out more? Check out the original article here.

Facebook reveals details of planned oversight board

#Facebook has unveiled its plan to create an independent “Oversight Board” to make decisions over how the social media platform is moderated. #technews #socialmedia https://t.co/USNITC7VbN

— DIGIT (@digitfyi) September 18, 2019

Facebook has revealed more details about its planned Oversight Board, a new 40-person independent structure that will serve as a final court of appeals over content acceptability on its platform.

Users who believe their content has been censored unfairly by Facebook moderators will be able to turn to the board after they have gone through the company’s internal appeals process.

In an effort to fend off accusations of political bias and censorship, the board will include members with controversial views. Brent Harris, Facebook’s director of governance and global affairs, said that there would be “people who sit on this board who make a set of people uncomfortable”.

The company claims it will treat the board’s decisions as final, which means if the board deems content fit for the site it will be restored.

Want to find out more? Check out the original article here.

British companies dominate the annual Fintech 50 list

@monzo @RevolutApp and @Onfido have topped the annual #Fintech50 list of the most influential #banking startups in Europe. #fintech #TechNews #financialservices https://t.co/ImV5Gz1HN3

— DIGIT (@digitfyi) September 19, 2019

Three UK financial technology firms have snagged top spots on the annual FinTech 50 list, which was the first list in the world to recognise fintech innovation in Europe.

The list is compiled by a panel of experts from major financial players including Standard Chartered, UBS, Mastercard and venture capital firm Accel.

Monzo, Revolut and Onfido were chosen to make the list from over 2,000 fintechs from across Europe, In total, five British companies made it onto the list’s top ten, including London-based OakNorth and Monese.

Julie Lake, the founding director of the FinTech 50 list, said: “This year’s 50 are meeting the demands of wider social, environmental and economic trends – the subscription economy, sustainable investing, financial wellbeing – as well as continuing to transform traditional financial services for the benefit of their customers.”

Want to find out more? Check out the original article here.