Institute for Knowledge Transfer

The Institute for Knowledge Transfer (IKT) will be launched on 9^th May and Sir Brian Fender, the past Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, will be the Institute’s first President.   The Institute will spearhead 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 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 will fill 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 UK 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 will be 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 will seek to provide a framework to which other bodies may join or affiliate as independent bodies.

for more information, please contact:

AURIL:

Tel: 028 9097 2589
Fax: 028 9097 2570

Email: auril@qub.ac.uk

page last updated: 24 Sep 2008