Knowledge Transfer Knowledge Transfer Partnership s Philip Ternouth

Knowledge Transfer & Knowledge Transfer Partnership s. Philip Ternouth

KTP’s are ‘Europe’s most successful Knowledge Transfer Programme…’ Why ? How do they work ?

Presentation Outline Overview of Knowledge Transfer Outline Programme objectives and achievements Why it works

Knowledge Transfer Use of Knowledge Generated in Universities to increase: - • • Range of Products and Services produced by industry Competitiveness of Business & Manufacturing Processes Skills & Capabilities used by Business BUT Note importance of “Knowledge Exchange”

How Knowledge Transfer Happens

University Industry Links Patents and Licenses junior partner of knowledge transfer for Innovation Other channels 2 -3 times as significant Licensing Incomes dramatically skewed and less than 3% of US research funding Source – Hughes, A (2003) “Knowledge Transfer, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth; Some reflections on Policy Implications in the Netherlands: Knowledge Transfer developing High Tech ventures EIM Business Policy and Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs The Hague

Effectiveness of Knowledge Transfer • • • The most effective form of Knowledge Transfer is People Transfer Patenting, Licensing and spin-out development are far less important than Business University collaboration KTP’s are deliberately designed to use people as the means of transfer.

KTP Mission ‘To strengthen the competitiveness, wealth creation and economic performance of the UK by the enhancement of knowledge transfer and skills and the stimulation of innovation through collaborative projects between business and the knowledge base. ’

Introduction 1975 launched as Teaching Companies Scheme (TCS). 2003 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships replaced TCS and Colleges & Businesses Partnership scheme (CBP). 4000+ programs completed 1000+ live in 2006

What is a ‘partnership’? A relationship is formed between a company and an academic institution (‘Knowledge Base’ Partner), which facilitates the transfer of knowledge, technology and skills to which the company partner currently has no access. Each partnership employs (one or more) recently qualified people (Associate) to work in a company on a project of strategic importance to the business, whilst also being supervised by the Knowledge Base Partner.

Projects vary in length between 12 and 36 months. The Associates are either postgraduate researchers; university graduates; or equivalent.

Partnership Structure

Features Project length 12 – 36 months Associates recruited by KB and Company partners Employed by KB partner Project located at business premises with company supervisor KB Supervisor spends ~ half day per week at company premises

Knowledge Base benefits Income Published papers Teaching materials, case studies and projects (82%) New research themes - commercial relevance (80%) Staff development – commercial awareness (88%) Higher degree registrations Graduate career opportunities IP – negotiated with the company Strategic relationship with company

Economic benefits Benefits per Associate project: Annual profit up >£ 227 k (highest £ 20 m) Invest. in plant & machinery >£ 106 k (highest £ 7 m) New jobs created ~ 3 IP applied commercially > 65% New research projects initiated ~ 3

Company benefits Benefits per £ 1 m Government spend: Jobs created 77 Company staff trained 263 Annual increase in profit before tax > £ 3 m Investment in plant and machinery > £ 1. 5 m

Company benefits Increased Capabilities & Profits Long-term, strategic relationship with KB partner Recruitment of the ‘right’ people Transfer of knowledge/expertise Embedding of innovation culture

Key Criteria • • • Project must be of Strategic Importance to Company Good Business Case Genuine Knowledge Transfer Interest and Challenge for Academic Partner Training & Learning Experience for Associate – genuine “Commercial Exposure”

The Associate Recently qualified with: First degree ~ 77% hold 1 st or 2(i) Higher degree ~ 38% NVQ level 4 Average 28 years

Example – HE 1 Company: CDL Limited (15 employees) Knowledge base: Aberdeen University (Department of Physics) Project aim: To develop a sub-sea surveying system based on laser technology for providing measurements for the fabrication and installation of pipeline jointing-pieces. (1 Associate).

Example HE 1 outcomes Company outcomes: >£ 150 k Annual profits increase 4 new staff KB outcomes: 5 undergrad and 1 post-grad. projects IPR agreement to share profit Access to test tank facility Enhanced teaching Associate outcomes: MSc degree Development Manager

Example – HE 2 Company: Farleigh Schools) Priory Group (Previously (4, 000 employees) Knowledge base: University of Bath (Department of Education) Project aim: To develop and implement a computer based learning information and distance facility. Asperger’s Syndrome (1 Associate)

Example HE 2 outcomes Company outcomes: Asperger’s learning to other KB outcomes: special Associate outcomes: Increased Corporate IQ of Syndrome Now at centre of AS Community Able to offer development of eorganisations Case studies for the Masters programme 3 published papers Developed new certificate programme in needs care and support Enhanced teaching MPhil Offered job but moved to Education

Why it Works People Based (not technology) Well developed & understood operating model Researchers Company Supervision of Associate Translated into other Countries Eg THRIP in South Africa

Knowledge Transfer & University Benefits • • Increased Collaboration with Business Relevance of Teaching and Research – – – • • Public Research Income Increase Industry Sponsored Research Income Increased Employability of Graduates Identification of new Research Problems Consultancy / Licensing Income Develop “Enterprise Culture” Entrepreneurship Education