Institute for Knowledge Transfer

The Institute for Knowledge Transfer (IKT) was launched in May 2008 with Sir Brian Fender, the past Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, as the Institute’s first President.   The Institute spearheads the development and delivery of a national comprehensive programme of Continuing Professional Development, services and support for knowledge transfer professionals (KTPs) within the private and public sectors. This programme will be underpinned by award-bearing professional training, accredited and validated by appropriate academic bodies.

The Institute's mission is to improve the skills and competencies of the growing knowledge transfer practitioner community. It will provide a structured career path for those working in the sector and contribute to the professionalisation of the Knowledge Transfer sector. The Institute will also act to generate public awareness and appreciation of the economic and social benefits of Knowledge Transfer ­ both in respect of its public good impacts and its importance for UK industrial competitiveness.

The new Institute fills an emerging and growing need: there is no existing training provision that encompasses the breadth and variety of skills and competencies, nor the cross-cutting disciplinarity required to operate successfully and professionally in Knowledge Transfer.

The Institute has been endorsed and supported by a consortium of leading organisations in the field of knowledge and technology transfer, including the Intellectual Property Office, the UK Business Incubation Association (UKBI), the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA), Applied Industrial Research Trading Organisations (AIRTO) and National Health Service (NHS) Innovation Hubs. It is also supported by higher education regional associations, regional development agencies and funding and development agencies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Institute is open to all knowledge and technology transfer professionals whether in higher education, public sector research establishments, the NHS, the community or industry (including both large corporates and SMEs). The Institute is also seeking to provide a framework to which other bodies may join or affiliate as independent bodies.

for more information, please contact:

Russ Hepworth-Sawyer AMInstKT
Business Development Manager
Institute of Knowledge Transfer
76 Portland Place
London
W1B 1NT

Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4912
Mob: +44 (0) 7595 217910
email: rhs@ikt.net

page last updated: 27 Apr 2009