Fact-finding visit by Innovate UK’s KTP Programme Manager

THROUGH the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme, the University of Huddersfield has been active in helping the region’s businesses improve competitiveness, productivity and performance for almost a decade.  In recognition of this and as part of a series of visits to the region, Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Manager, Richard Lamb, paid a fact-finding visit to the University’s campus.

The University can proudly boast 16 active Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and a succession of completed programmes on its roster, many receiving notable accreditation.

The KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.  All of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership projects are funded by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK and are part of the government’s Industrial Strategy.

During his visit, Richard Lamb attended a round-table discussion session with academics and support staff involved in the delivery of the University’s KTP programme.

Also on the agenda was the opportunity to speak with representatives from a number of the University’s current KTP business partners, including Associated Utility Supplies, scalp-cooling pioneers PAXMAN, Valuechain.com and Weir Valves and Controls during which he heard the experiences of past and present KTP Associates.

Following the networking session, in which local businesses were invited to attend, judging took place for this year’s KTP Associate Research Poster Competition.

The judging panel included the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan, the Director of Research and Enterprise Professor Liz Towns-Andrews and Head of the Researcher Environment Anna Seabourne.

The competition received a number of high-quality entries from current KTPs showcasing their research and the judges commended the Associates for the breath and professionalism of their work.

The winner of the category for KTP entrants in post for over 12 months was Harvey Kangley from Associated Utility Supplies with his poster reflecting on the work undertaken to improve the electrification of UK railways by enabling innovative products to be designed and manufactured more economically and efficiently.

Sathpal Panesar, who began the KTP with Bob’s Business, supervised by Dr Chris Street, only a few months ago, was the winner of the category for active KTPs running for less than 12 months with a poster centred around the growing problem of email phishing.

Professor Towns-Andrews welcomed the visit by Richard Lamb and acknowledged the strategic importance of KTPs in the University’s strategy: “We have ambitions to increase our numbers, expanding into other disciplines across our academic schools of study.  Therefore, we were very pleased that Richard took time to visit Huddersfield and hear about the experiences of our stakeholders, first-hand.”