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Sharing knowledge to help business is A-rated at º£½ÇÖ±²¥

An innovative º£½ÇÖ±²¥ business partnership has been rated as outstanding – achieving another grade A ranking from the Technology Strategy Board.

It means that 71% of the University’s recent Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have now been awarded grade A - the highest grade possible – compared with just 8% nationally. KTPs see talented graduates working in a business to help improve competitiveness and productivity through better use of knowledge, technology and skills. Businesses also get the benefit of specialist support from University experts.

The latest grade A accolade is for a partnership with national company Ryder Architecture - and it’s the fifth grade A for KTPs in the University’s School of Science & Engineering.

Nahim Iqbal, who graduated from º£½ÇÖ±²¥ with an MSc in Project Management in 2011, was employed as an associate to work with Ryder Architecture, under the supervision of Professor Nashwan Dawood.

The two-year project developed Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems to integrate into Ryder’s own project design and management systems, and was such a success that Nahim has now been taken on as a full-time member of staff as BIM Development Leader.

Nahim said: ‘The partnership played an integral role in advancing my skills and knowledge in the domain of design and construction. The focus on integrated research and practical experience provided a unique opportunity to engage with the wider industry and support collaboration and innovation.’

Professor Nashwan Dawood added: ‘The collaboration with Ryder provided a way for the company to develop new environmental, cost and construction design methodologies which will help them develop and expand their capabilities and improve business opportunities.’

Peter Barker, Architectural Director at Ryder, was delighted with the results and said that in the construction industry it is essential to stay ahead of the competition and improve capabilities all the time. He added: ‘The KTP project allowed us to take on board the expertise º£½ÇÖ±²¥ could offer and develop that in practice within the company with Nahim.

‘We will be able to implement this now across our sites in Glasgow, Liverpool and London as well as Newcastle. It has also led to us finding an excellent graduate member of staff who will continue our development in a competitive industry.’

In addition to Ryder Architecture, the other Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to be awarded a grade A in the School of Science & Engineering are Stockton Casting Company (2008), Wellstream International (a double award in 2009), Faithful & Gould (2009) and Stanley Vickers (2010).

‘This is the highest grade possible and a great accolade for the team involved,’ said Emma Detchon, Senior Business Development Manager.

‘Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are proving to be a winning formula for more and more firms in the North East.’

Laura Woods, the University's Director of Academic Enterprise, added: ‘A KTP is ideal for a company needing expert help with a specific project, perhaps to introduce new technology or new working practices. As well as a full-time graduate on the staff, the company gets academic support to deliver its improvement programme.

‘This is just one of the direct ways that businesses can benefit from a partnership with the University.’ To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, contact 01642 384068 or email business@tees.ac.uk.

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