Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus was the venue for the national Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Practitioners Conference which took place over two days on the 19 and 20 June 2024.
Through the conference, more than 180 guests from academia, research, government and industry came together to share best practice and hear about the enduring power and unique collaboration that KTPs generate.
Part funded by Innovate UK, other government co-funders and the participating company, KTP projects apply the world-leading knowledge and expertise of academics to business-critical projects. They work by connecting graduates, academics and businesses together to help drive new innovations and ideas using their academic expertise to help deliver them.
KTPs are not new – in fact they have been in operation across the UK for nearly 50 years, helping businesses of all sizes and across a range of sectors to innovate and grow by leveraging new thinking and research generated by academic and other research focused organisations. Each year, Innovate UK invests £50m into KTPs and there are more than 800 live projects across the UK currently – with each project generating an average of five-pounds for every one-pound of tax-payers’ money invested into the scheme.
Within these partnerships, the role of universities, higher education institutions and other eligible research organisations (collectively known as knowledge bases), bring new skills, research and academic thinking to their business partners. In turn, the knowledge bases benefit from the access and insights into the latest innovation in industry practice, which can be used to inform teaching, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the new knowledge economy.
Matt Desmier, one of Bournemouth University’s Business Engagement & Knowledge Exchange Manager, who was part of the team that organised the event said: “The network of all the universities across the UK have come to BU today to discuss how best to run KTPs and what type of projects they should develop. We’ve invited local businesses her so that they can understand the opportunities that exist in the business support network, and we’re sharing and we’re raising everybody’s talents at the same time.”
Ian Jones, Head of External Engagement at Bournemouth University, said, “Universities work for public good, and it is vital that the knowledge and research developed within universities is used and shared by businesses to put them into practice. At BU, I’m proud of the work we do with businesses across a range of sectors as we’ve been able to work together for public good. If you’re interested in working with us at BU, we’d love you to get in touch.”
Attending the conference was Vivian Allen, Founder and CEO of DorPIP, Parent Infant Partnership, a local charity providing new parents specialised parent-infant relationship therapy, bonding and support. “We’ve been working with Bournemouth University since the inception of DorPIP. One of our trustees is a lecturer here and an expert in perinatal mental health and he’s helped open doorways with us. We’ve been able to offer work placements to students. Also, for me as the Founder and CEO it’s helped us grow and develop our strategy and our partnerships with the business community.” said Vivian.
Darryl Sparey, MD a former graduate of BU and Co-Founder of PR and marketing agency, Hard Numbers, who also attended the conference said: “I’m really keen on there being a livelier and more frequent discussion between academia and practice particularly in the PR industry. Given the opportunities for reach and scale that exists with video content today, it’s vital that businesses take advantage of students that graduate from a university like BU who has an amazing reputation for video and media production.”
For further information about Bournemouth University’s business partnerships please visit the BU website.
