School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Transcription

1 School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Dr Paul Mativenga, Senior Lecturer, Director of External Affairs MACE, Tel: Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 1

2 Knowledge Transfer The University of Manchester was awarded an 8.3m Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) based on its plans to increase the impact, uptake and exploitation of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) research investments. Closing dates for academics to submit proposals 24 th November 2009, 19 th January 2010, 2 nd March 2010, 26 th May th July 2010 Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 2

3 KTA mechanisms Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) KTP is a UK-wide scheme enabling organisations to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance. The University s KTA will support KTP projects aimed at the delivery of new knowledge/technology into the company partner, to develop new or enhanced product, process, way of working. Awards for Concept Development and Feasibility Studies EPSRC research often remains unexploited because a greater evidential base is required before academics or companies are able to commit to its further development and application. Funding will therefore be available to support the development of an early evaluation prototype or demonstrator, initial trials in a particular field, or scoping exercises. Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 3

4 KTA mechanisms Secondment Scheme Secondment Scheme exploitation secondments focused directly on the development of specific research outputs (either secondment-in of user/industry organisation staff, or secondment out of University staff); exploration secondments which enable companies to explore the opportunities offered by particular research areas, or academics to explore the application possibilities for their research. Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 4

5 KTA mechanisms Knowledge Transfer Fellowship scheme Knowledge generated through EPSRC research can often find application in immediate, short term, problem-focused industrial projects. Universities typically find it difficult to respond to such demand, owing to the lack of time/flexibility inherent in the research staff contract. Such projects often founder in an attempt to force-fit the work into a more lengthy research project to enable the employment of a dedicated Research Assistant. This scheme will therefore underwrite the employment of full time KT Fellows to respond to demand for short term research application projects from a range of companies. Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 5

6 Future KTA funding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) In order for the exploitation of ESPRC research to take place, its potential users must be aware of and understand the research, and how it can be exploited within their own organisation. Dissemination of such knowledge through the CPD process can catalyse and support exploitation projects. The University has identified two key models: the modification of specific postgraduate modules, e.g. through the development of web materials, so as to enable user organisations to benefit from a deeper understanding of specific areas; bespoke development of a series of broad Masterclasses on a specified knowledge/technology domain. Dr P T Mativenga The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK 6