Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus recently played host to the national Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Practitioners Conference.

For nearly 50 years, KTPs have been helping businesses succeed by connecting them with UK academic resources.

Universities and higher education institutions bring new skills, research and academic thinking to their business partners. In turn, universities benefit from the knowledge gained from the latest innovation in industry practice, which they can use in their teaching.

Run by Innovate UK they work by connecting graduates, academics and businesses together to help drive new innovations and ideas using their academic expertise to help deliver them.

Matt Desmier, Bournemouth University’s Business Engagement & Knowledge Exchange Manager, who 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 here 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,” said Vivian.

“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.”

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.”

• https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/