Transcript Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Maximising Opportunities

Knowledge Transfer
Partnerships
Maximising Opportunities
Simon Earp
Director, University of Edinburgh Management School/
Chairman, East of Scotland KTP Centre
650 8067/[email protected]
Anne Keane
Manager, East of Scotland KTP Centre
455 5106/[email protected]
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Mission
“To strengthen the competitiveness and
wealth creation of the UK by the
stimulation of innovation in industry
through collaborative partnerships
between the science, engineering and
technology base and industry”
Extension of the TCS scheme
(formally Teaching Company Scheme)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Sponsors
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
• Invest Northern Ireland
• Department of Health
• Economic and Social Research Council
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Welsh Assembly Government
• Natural Environment Research Council
• Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
• Scottish Executive
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Objectives of every
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
• facilitate the transfer of knowledge and the
spread of technical and business skills
through innovation project
• provide company-based training for
graduates in order to enhance their
business and specialist skills
• stimulate and enhance business relevant
research and training undertaken by the
knowledge base
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
What is a Knowledge Transfer
Partnership?
A collaboration involving 3 partners with gain for all:
1. A company that would benefit from additional
expertise to aid innovative product, process or
market development
2. An academic team with the mix of expertise to fill
the ‘expertise gap’
3. At least one graduate - KTP Associate – to carryout
the project work in the company over 1-3 years,
jointly supervised by company and academics.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Improve Productivity
and Company
Strategic
Company-Based
Project
Enhances Knowledge Base’s
Relevance to Business
Enhances Graduate
Career(s)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Criteria for Projects
• Company financially able to complete and exploit
the programme
• Programme will create strategically important
change for the company
• Academic input essential for an innovative
result
• Associate s t r e t c h e d
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Project Lifecycle
Awards
Grading
Final Report
Post-project plans
Carry out the work
Recruit graduate/s
Grant
Proposal
Outline approval
Idea
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
1 to 5
years
University benefits

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Understanding of industrial requirements and
commercial imperatives

Opportunities to put ideas into action

Development of relationships for other research projects
Staff development

Framework ideal for younger academics to build
relationships with industry in ‘safe environment’
supported by senior academics & KTP consultants and to
develop and hone new skills

Student placements

Student projects

Publishing academic papers
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
University benefits

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Knowledge Transfer Income

Value of typical 2 yr project with SME £100k

£21K Direct to School +£25 overhead
KTP Center's Partners awarded c. £10m in
TCS/KTP income since Centre estab. in 1998

U of E awards c. £2m

Tip of the iceberg of opportunity
Annual KTP grant ‘pot’ c. £25m

Including company contribution ‘pot’ c. £42m

Approx 14% coming to Scottish universities
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Role of the Supervisors


Industrial Supervisor
 Day-to-day support to the project and the
Associate
 Guides Associate’s professional
development
Academic Supervisor
 Regular support to project and Associate
(visits company on average ½ day per
week)
 Guide Associate’s Professional development
 Links to expertise with the Knowledge Base
partner
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
What’s changed from
TCS of old?
• Project duration 18-36 months
• Academic outcomes emphasised
• KTP Centre support :
– To ensure project plans are well defined &
developed to facilitate maximum benefit for all
– Minimal effort in proposal preparation &
submission
– To enhance chances of approval – 100% success!
– Co-ordinate Associate recruitment process
– Introduction of potential partners
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Role of the KTP Centre
• A Gateway into partner HEIs
• To promote collaboration & knowledge transfer.
• Brokers / bloodhounds / ‘needs’ translators
• Facilitators in preparation & submission process
9 submission points a year
Typically 3-4 weeks to prepare proposal
Outcome known 3-4 weeks
• Support with graduate recruitment
• Signposters
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
East of Scotland KTP Centre
University of Edinburgh
Heriot-Watt University
Napier University
University of Stirling
University of St Andrews
Queen Margaret University College
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Centre’s aims
• To enable partner universities to
take greater advantage of the
opportunities available through
participation in Knowledge Transfer
Partnerships by:
– Raising level of awareness of KTP in
academic community
– Assisting academics to build on existing
relationships with established industrial
contacts
– Introduction of potential partners
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
What Next?
•Consider whether existing links with companies have
potential for KTP:
•Guest Speakers
•Consultancy
•Contract research
•Recruiters/Previous employers
•Suppliers
•Consider research applications and suggest Companies
•We can help identify Companies
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships