Gaining real-world digital skills with SAP
Nottingham University Business School is one of the UK’s leading business schools for integrating digital technologies into teaching. Through our Digital Centre of Excellence, students gain hands-on experience using SAP, developing practical, in-demand skills that employers value.
Recently, students that use SAP technology on their courses attended the UK and Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG) Connect 2025 conference at the ICC in Birmingham, exploring the latest innovations and building valuable industry connections.
Why is SAP experience so important?
- SAP software is used by more than 400,000 organisations in over 180 countries, supported by a global network of 23,000 partner companies.
- Each year, over 750 of our students gain SAP experience, which gives them a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
- It’s one reason the University of Nottingham ranks number one in the UK for graduates entering highly skilled jobs (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2025).
Two students reflected on their experience attending the conference:
Zaynab Janmohamed (BSc Finance, Accounting and Management)
"Attending the SAP UKISUG Conference was an incredible opportunity. There were some great lectures on offer, particularly one delivered by the CEO of a recruitment company specialising in SAP roles. It explored how to navigate today’s competitive job market and provided practical advice on how to make LinkedIn profiles and CVs stand out.
"I spoke with over 50 professionals, discovered career pathways, and connected with companies like Deloitte that offer internships and placements. I gained a better understanding of the industry, career pathways and the mindset required to excel.
"Beyond the professional benefits, the conference was very enjoyable, including informal chats with industry experts. I met great people from my course I hadn't met before, who I now consider friends, and the evening party was a memorable experience with great food.
"Overall, the experience expanded my knowledge of the industry, taught me skills of how to succeed in the job market and strengthened my networking and interpersonal skills. I would highly recommend it to any student interested in tech, business, consulting or sales."
Saad Sher Dil Khan (MBA)
"Stepping into the SAP world as a business student felt like entering another planet. While ERPs are well-known, I initially worried I’d be lost in jargon like APIs, SaaS, UAT, CDC, EDA. SAP is just a tool to help businesses bring ideas to life, handling repetitive tasks so people can focus on impactful decisions. With 87% of global commerce touching a SAP system and 99 of the 100 largest companies as customers, it’s evident that SAP plays a significant role.
"The best way to learn is through experience. SAP Connect brought together students, consultants, and advisors, creating a networking paradise. As an MBA student with an accounting background, I quickly realised we all shared a common focus: solving business challenges.
"Instead of drowning in buzzwords, I engaged in meaningful discussions about current issues like avoiding data silos, cybersecurity, supply chain optimisation, and AI's role in finance. It was a fantastic experience for anyone eager to learn about cutting-edge technology."
"While it’s impossible to connect with everyone, prioritising memorable conversations is key. Show your enthusiasm, connect on LinkedIn, and take notes on who you met and what you learned. One meaningful connection outweighs several forgettable ones.
"Time flies among the sessions, and I focused on talent and career talks, especially Sanctuary’s session, which provided valuable insights into what recruiters are actually look for."
The evening SUGFest was a great reset - a sci-fi themed party with comedy, VR games, music, and dancing. Networking became much easier once everyone relaxed. Some of the people I met made lasting impressions, and I look forward to reminiscing with them at the next SAP Connect. Perhaps you’ll be there too!
Further information
Find out more about our Digital centre of Excellence.
Posted December 23, 2025
