BU Research Blog

I have recently joined the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Officer, after nearly 4 years working in the Bournemouth University Careers and Employability Service.  This is a new role and is dedicated to working with BU academics and industry to promote KTPs and as such develop and manage the University’s KTP portfolio.

What are KTPs?

A KTP is part-funded by the government and the aim of this scheme is to encourage collaboration on projects between businesses and academics.  KTPs had previously been called the Teaching Company Scheme, which you may have heard of, however a rebrand a decade ago saw the TCS become a KTP.  KTPs are managed by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and provide benefits to all parties involved – this scheme offers a fusion of academic and industry collaboration supported by an associate (graduate). 

What’s in it for you?

KTPs are an excellent way of bringing in income and developing knowledge exchange with a clear pathway to impact.

Key benefits are as follows:

• Facilitates research impact
• Increases research funding, including supervision time for the Knowledge Base Supervisor (academic)  to the Associate, this time averages at half a day a week
• Contributes to the University’s REF submission
• Improve links with industry partners
• Apply knowledge to innovative business-critical project
• Raise your profile among colleagues/the Institution

KTPs are valuable to business as they provide a distinct transfer of knowledge to an innovative project which is set to add significant value to a business.

Bournemouth University has run various KTPs over the years, the following case studies document how good the KTP has been of benefit to each party (Academic Partner, Company and Associate).

These include:

• Bournemouth Churches Housing Association – To address service, quality, organisational and management issues by selecting and implementing relevant tools to assist the task
• Strainstall Group Ltd – To enhance quality management processes to ensure an effective contract review mechanism, to improve the efficiency of and reduce financial risk from tender response and bidding activity
• Wessex Chemical Factors – To develop and implement a database-driven marketing programme, thereby enabling it to capitalise on its expertise, product range and customer base

Further case studies and information on KTPs can be found on the KTP website.   

If you would like to discuss any KTP ideas you would like to develop or chat about any aspect of KTPs, please do contact me on 01202 961347 or email clarker@bournemouth.ac.uk