From Classroom to Boardroom: Bridging Academia and Industry Through Arise

Unlocking Innovation: How Arise Research Internships empower SMEs

From Classroom to Boardroom Bridging Academia and Industry Through Arise

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) innovation often depends on having the right expertise at the right time. 

 

Arise Innovation Hubs members gain access to high-performing research interns who can deliver real value, quickly, efficiently, and with fresh insight. Bringing with them cutting-edge academic knowledge and a strong desire to make an impact.For SMEs, this means gaining skilled support on strategic projects without the overhead of long-term hiring.

 

At C-Prio, intern Utkaarsh Saha helped accelerate a complex AI-driven image analysis workflow. He configured high-performance computing environments, implemented GPU-accelerated processing, and created interactive tools, all of which improved usability and efficiency. Founder Jiahui Zhu says: “Utkaarsh has significantly progressed the way C-Prio’s rAI-colon will revolutionise histopathology services and cancer diagnosis. He has pushed the project forward significantly, especially in natural language processing and cloud infrastructure. But the tech world is changing so fast… If I were who I am now, I would make a different plan, one that emphasizes feasibility and continuity much more.”

 

From the intern’s perspective, the experience was equally transformative. “This opportunity gave me a deeper understanding of real-world R&D workflows, something I could not have gained from coursework alone,” said Utkaarsh. “The work delivered tangible improvements in processing efficiency, usability, and maintainability.”

 

At Antobot, intern Alfa Saleh contributed to validating a non-chemical disease treatment for crops using UV light. His research directly impacted the company’s robotic operations and provided valuable insights into agricultural practices in Africa. “Alfa bonded well with the team and was a great addition throughout his time with us,” said Head of Robotics Mart Magi. Alfa’s work not only advanced Antobot’s product development but also introduced new perspectives on global farming systems.

 

Alfa reflected on the experience: “I learned a great deal about the scientific process, robotics, and data analysis. I also built meaningful relationships and gained valuable connections that will be integral to my career as an engineer.”

 

Meanwhile, Ace Music Therapy benefited from the organisational and analytical skills of their intern. Their intern designed the company’s Social Impact Report and developed a new data system to track client engagement and outcomes. “Our intern was organised, efficient and had some excellent ideas,” said Director Lucy Dindoyal. “The system she created will have a long-lasting benefit. We can now analyse our data more accurately and quickly than ever before.” 

 

For Ace Music Therapy, the internship delivered more than just a report. It created a foundation for better impact measurement and future funding applications. Their intern also supported summer sessions with children, helping the team deliver services while gaining valuable experience in SEN environments.

 

In previous years Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) allocates funds to support undergraduate research and innovation internships. Designed to provide experience, knowledge, and skills to participants, these projects enable knowledge exchange and generate impact. For SMEs, hosting a research intern through Arise is a strategic way to access emerging talent, accelerate innovation, and contribute to the development of the next generation of researchers and professionals. It has been low-risk, high-reward opportunity to test new ideas. Whether it’s AI development, agricultural robotics, or social impact reporting, Arise interns deliver meaningful outcomes.

 

Beverley Vaughan, Arise Innovation Hubs Director says: “These projects offer an excellent opportunity for both student and business.  Students gain real world experience and businesses learn about the benefits of collaborating with the university.  It is always a pleasure to read about what is created over these summer placements.”

 

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