What is CDIT?
The Centre of Digital Innovation and Technology (CDIT) is a collaborative framework between Belfast Further and Higher Education institutions and industry partners to create a shared centre to advance digital innovation and technology through a skills-based approach.
The centre aims to develop industry relevant skills through a shared multi-disciplinary environment that enables Industry and academia to co-create an educational experience for students based upon project based learning.
Belfast Metropolitan College, Stranmillis University College, and Queens University Belfast are collaborating to offer their students to complete Industry specific projects.
Industry Projects
The CDIT Industry Project Portal is a central portal to allow local industry to submit project ideas that can be incorporated into the curriculum delivery. We welcome a broad range of AI and computing projects, if you are not sure if your project ideas fits within the category contact cdit@belfastmet.ac.uk.
AI PROJECT OPPORTUNITY: Funding has been secured for several projects through the UKRI TechLocal AI: AI Pathways NI project. We are therefore particularly keen to receive AI-focused project proposals at this time.
AI Pathways NI - AI Project Opportunity
The initiative is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have the resources to support traditional long-term placements but wish to harness AI to address business challenges, enhance productivity, and drive innovation.
At this time, we particularly encourage industry partners to submit AI project ideas though the Industry Project Portal. For more information on requirements and what we are looking for download our booklet.
See the following examples for guidance:
AI / Innovative ideas (UKRI funded)
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Receive AI based research, recommendations, prototype solutions, proof-of-concepts, AI agents or AI use-cases tailored to your challenge.
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Identify areas where AI could automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, or unlock value from existing data.
General Computing/ Development
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Website
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Database
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Application Development (Prototyping)
This is not a full list, if you have a good idea that students could use as a project and it is not listed here you can still complete the form or contact the team on the emails listed below.
Project Timeframe
We have three submission windows throughout the Academic year, August – January, January – April, and April to August.
Ideas can be returned using this CDIT Industry Project Portal form or the contacts below. We aim to get back to organisations on the outcome of your submission within 8 weeks.
The contact details for each partner are:
Belfast Metropolitan College, commonly known as Belfast Met, is the largest college of further and higher education in Northern Ireland and one of the biggest providers in the UK. It offers a wide range of vocational and academic qualifications, catering to over 9,000 students annually.
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is a prestigious public research university located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. QUB offers around 300 academic degree programs across various disciplines and hosts approximately 25,600 students, including a diverse international community.
Stranmillis University College is a renowned institution in Belfast, Northern Ireland, affiliated with Queen's University Belfast. Offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional development programs, primarily focused on education and related fields to approx. 1,390 students per year.