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Assuria and the University of Reading

Assuria is based in the Science & Technology Centre on the Whiteknights campus at Reading University and have actively participated in the support of student projects and activiries.

In the summer of 2006 Assuria participated in the Shell Step scheme in which Assuria provided projects for 2 students both of which were very successful. One of the students Daniel Saxil-Nielsen was selected as Runner-Up when he represented Assuria and the Reading Knowledge Transfer Network at the Regional final of the SHELL STEP programme.

Daniel with his display at the regional final.

The SHELL STEP programme was a UK-wide programme offering undergraduates project-based work within small to medium sized businesses.

In the Summer of 2007 Assuria [provided paid summer work to a student from Imperial College and who after graduation has joined Assuria on a full time basis

During the summer of 2008 Assuria participated in the Summer Enterprise Experience & Discovery scheme (SEED) which is run by the University of Reading's Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC). Assuria supported the scheme by offering paid summer work experience for Jack Hollingworth, a Computer Science BSc first year student. Assuria gave him an opportunity to experience life as a software developer in a small innovative software development company.

Jack’s brief was to help Assuria develop the System Test Harness for the company’s new scanning tool. The new tool uses credentialed access to systems to perform configuration assurance and vulnerability assessment. Jack worked closely with Steve Saxton, one of Assuria’s experienced software engineers.

At the end of the 8 week assignment, which included two full days training for the students with a professional trainer, the students have an opportunity to showcase their achievements.

Jack being presented with is prize by Dr Colin Baldwin, Knowledge Transfer Manager, SEEDA

On the 2nd September 2008 Jack supported by Steve and with the other 2008 SEED students presented his project to an audience which consisted of representatives from the host organisations, academics, senior representatives from the University and local organisations. The judges were Dr Colin Baldwin, Knowledge Transfer Manager, SEEDA, Dr Shirley Williams, University of Reading's School of Systems Engineering and Alex O'Donnell, winner of last year's Shell Step project and now working at Microsoft. Assuria was proud to find that Jack Hollingworth was the Overall Winner. See the University of Reading case study http://www.reading.ac.uk/working-with-business/Casestudies/busserv-Studentplacements-cs.aspx or download the PDF from here.

Jack has continued to work with Assuria during term time and has worked full time with Assuria during the summer of 2009. A student from Warwick University also worked with Assuria during Summer 2008.

Assuria is continually looking for opportunities to work more closely with the University. We are currently in discussions with several academics about possible research projects.