Focus: Presentation skills,  public speaking skills

The Lightning Talk Challenge is a programme for young professionals to present their ideas on stage as part of the TNC Lightning Talk programme. Nominated by GÉANT project partners, participants undergo series of training to help them master presentation skills and prepare participants for an impactful presentation at the actual event.  Participants whose proposal gets selected by the TNC Programme Committee will be invited to the TNC conference*. In addition, all  participants are invited to showcase their work on self-recorded video for publication through the GÉANT channels. 

What's in it for the young professionals?

Young professionals will learn how to pitch their proposal and deliver a powerful presentation on their topic; the workshops offer a safe environment where students can learn and practice together,  and is often a place for making new friends or build a network of peers. Finally, all participants are invited to showcase the end result of their learning with self-recorded video which can be published through the GÉANT media channels:

• Practical and interactive workshops under the guidance of a professional public speaking coach for all participants
• 1:1 coaching on public speaking for participants whose proposal is selected for TNC
• Travel package - if applicable + full conference pass for finalists
• Support for presentation video recordings

Requirements:

• This challenge is open to individuals who are registered on any IT & networking (related) course(s) at a university, college or learning provider 
• All participants must be nominated by a GÉANT participating NREN
• The Lightning talk idea must be associated with computer networking or any other technology-related areas.
• Participants commit themselves to attend the full training programme ( 3 virtual workshops i March and April)  
• Finalists commit to present their proposal at TNC
• Excellent command of the English language, both spoken and written

What's required of the NREN?  

If you are a NREN, this programme gives you great exposure in the R&E community and may help to strengthen relations with your institutional partners and users. To participate we expect the NREN to:

• be a member of GÉANT 4.3 project
• be willing to recruit, select and administer registration of max 3 participants 
• have a point of contact available to support, encourage or promote participants locally 

What is the role of GLAD?

GÉANT Learning and Development team (GLAD) is passionate about building, diversifying and strengthening capabilities of European NREN community. In At GÉANT we believe it is crucial to engage, foster and develop future IT professionals. This sentiment holds true now, more than ever, as the sector undergoes a period of considerable growth.  As we are committed to the up-skilling of Europe’s future IT workforce, we have set up the GÉANT Future Talent Programme.  In course of FTP Lightning talk Challenge, GLAD is committed to organise workshops and deliver public speaking skills to participants for which GLAD will be in direct contact with you and your participant. GLAD will also support the recording of videos and the promotion through the GÉANT media channels.   

How to Apply (NRENs)

Step 1 Register your candidate online with a brief description of the candidate's topic.

Step 2 All accepted candidates will become participants of the Future Talent Programme and will receive training. Your participant takes part in the e-workshops in March and April. Dates and Programme will be confirmed to you and your participant by email.

Step 3 Participants submit their proposal to TNC Programme Committee by 11 March 2021, midnight CET. 

Step 4 Participants will be notified by the TNC Programme Committee  of the acceptance or rejection of the proposalproposal 

Step 5 Selected candidates take further training and take centre stage at TNC21