£2.1m funding for space sector, plus an innovation award for remarkable Portsmouth scientist
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As summer turns into autumn, the feeling of change is in the air. Change is the theme of this month’s business talks as award-winning entrepreneur Shakardokht (Shakar) Jafari shares her inspirational story from a war-torn childhood to sparking a revolution in cancer treatment, thanks to the support of the University’s Innovation Connect business support service.
If you are thinking of changing career and are looking to launch your next challenge, then why not sign up for our new Space Software and Data/AI CPD programme, which is offering an out of this world opportunity for companies and individuals alike.
From tragedy to innovation
Shakardokht (Shakar) Jafari isn't your typical entrepreneur. Her story is a whirlwind of war, resilience, and a ground-breaking invention that has the potential to change cancer treatment forever.
The scientist will have her achievements commemorated with a special Purple Plaque at the University of Portsmouth's Innovation Connect centres next month (October 24), where her company is based.
The accolade is Innovate UK’s twist on the blue plaques that commemorate influential and pioneering historic figures. Shakar is the founder of TrueInvivo, a pioneering MedTech company developing revolutionary cancer treatment technology.
Purple plaques are being displayed at schools across the country to recognise the achievements of the winners of the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award. The Award also sees recipients receive £50,000 grant funding and one-to-one mentoring to scale up their businesses and bring their pioneering innovations to market.
As well as being an award-winning entrepreneur developing cancer treatments in the UK, Shakardokht is a leading campaigner for girls’ education in her native country. That’s not to mention her family being forced to flee their home in rural Afghanistan when she was just six for Iran. She defied her family over an arranged family not just once but twice, and then much later, also battled her own cancer while pregnant with her third child.
Shakar's message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: believe in yourself. Her journey is a testament to the power of unwavering determination and the ability to overcome any obstacle.
Innovation Connect is dedicated to supporting innovation and providing an environment designed to accelerate ground-breaking work like Shakar’s. Finding a home for her business at the University offers great convenience, placing her close to home and research students. Additionally, the vibrant business community fosters collaboration and the customisable workspace provides huge value. Innovation Connect tailored the space to Shakar's needs, ensuring ideal conditions for her research.
Want to learn more about Shakar's incredible story? Her book, available at major bookstores, offers a deeper dive into her remarkable journey. You can even get a signed copy by visiting her at Innovation Connect!
Anyone wishing to attend the public event on Thursday 24 October to celebrate Shakar’s award can find more information on the Eventbrite page here.
Lift off for new course as part of £2.1m funding to address skills gap in UK space sector
A new project, led by the University of Portsmouth, has launched to help companies overcome the skills gap in software, data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the space sector.
The Securing the future of space: Space Software and Data/AI CPD programme is one of five new projects, worth £2.1m, announced by UK Space Agency to break down barriers to opportunities within this fast-growing, high-tech sector.
The course, delivered by experts from the Space South Central partnership of universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Surrey, will equip mid-career professionals with the expertise needed to strategically navigate the rapidly changing fields of AI and data-science.
Dr Becky Canning, Deputy Director (Space) at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, said: “Software, data, and AI development proceeds at such a rate that remaining at the forefront of the sector is challenging, yet these digital skills are critical to drive innovation and meet the objectives of the National Space Strategy.
“We recognise the importance of working closely with the sector to design bespoke, broad, and corporate strategy concepts to include in the course, ensuring that participants not only acquire technical proficiency, but also develop a deep understanding of the strategic implications of these technologies for their organisations.”
With support from industry experts at Orange Tree Ltd, the course will provide participants with comprehensive training in digital space and AI technologies. They will also learn how to structure and respond to space-related funding opportunities. Through a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and mentoring opportunities, attendees will gain the skills necessary to progress in this ever-evolving digital field.
The course is aimed at employees already in the space sector who are looking for promotion and to fulfil critical employer gaps, as well as professionals outside the sector, particularly from the military, engineering, defence and maritime industries, who want to direct their talent towards the fast-growing space industry.
Whether you’re a space sector company looking to upskill your employees or an individual from any sector seeking training to take the next exciting step in your career, register your interest by contacting Dan Smith: [email protected]