Pioneering partnerships in Northern Ireland
Innovative projects were showcased recently at a special event in Belfast for the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme in Northern Ireland. The UK KTP programme has been in operation for almost 50 years, and Northern Ireland’s universities have been leading partners for over 30 years.
Between Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, the programme has helped over 600 business organisations achieve their strategic objectives.
UKRI has overall responsibility for the programme which connects businesses that have an innovation idea with the expertise from universities or other research bodies to help deliver it. In Northern Ireland the programme is supported by Invest NI.
Building strong collaborations
Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have played a vital and long-standing role in stimulating innovation-led business growth across the UK. The many excellent KTPs in Northern Ireland powerfully showcase the programme in action.
“The partnerships build strong collaborations between business and academia, with both partners gaining new knowledge and expertise, and at the same time the KTP Associate gains much sought after skills and personal development opportunities working across the academia-business interface.”
Knowledge base partnerships
Lorraine Marks, Head of KTP and Business Engagement Programmes in Northern Ireland, said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are accessible to all UK businesses, providing a wide range of expertise and experience through universities and further education colleges. Partnering with a knowledge base offers the opportunity to embed the latest tools and technologies so that the business partner can achieve their strategic objectives.”
The showcase projects
The 10 projects to showcase their innovations were:
- Allen Integrated Solutions Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
- Bia Analytical Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
- BioPanda Reagents Limited and Ulster University
- BT Group plc and Ulster University
- Felix O’Hare Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
- FP McCann Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
- MJM Marine Ltd and Ulster University
- Thompson Aeroseating Ltd and Queen’s University Belfast
- SDG Construction Technology Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
- Somerville (NI) Limited and Queen’s University Belfast
The current round of funding worth up to £9 million is open for applications.
For more information please see KTPs: 2023 to 2024 round one
