University News Last updated 12 May 2010
Birmingham City University is inviting local businesses to a dedicated open day to find out more about how they can gain competitive advantage in today’s current economic climate.
T he Knowledge Transfer open day is taking place on Thursday 20 May at Maple House in Corporation Street, Birmingham City Centre and will offer free advice to businesses on delivering projects that improve competitiveness, increase productivity and boost profits.
Specifically tailored to Visual Communication, Jewellery, Architecture, 3D design, Fashion and Textiles, the event will promote and celebrate the success of the University’s Knowledge Transfer programme.
Now in its 30 year, the Knowledge Transfer programme is now a tried and tested three-way partnership between business, the University and a graduates (a ‘KTP Associate’), and aims to generate innovative ideas to the company.
Once a business identifies an area of need or support, the graduate will work on that specific project to achieve a working solution. They typically last between one and three years, during which time both the business and the KTP Associate are supported by academics within the University.
Paul Smith, Business Development Manager, explains: “The University is proud of its success with the KTP programme. The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) is acknowledged as the leading UK University delivering KTP programmes in Jewellery, Visual Coimmunications and Design. However, we now want to build on our success and increase the number of KTPs over the next few years which mean we need to find more businesses and academics to work with us through this government supported scheme.
“The Open Day will hopefully attract new businesses who want to work with us. It would also be interest to Birmingham City University students and graduates since the scheme employs a graduate and/or undergraduate to deliver the project at the company - graduate placement scheme.”
The Key Note speaker at the Open Day is West Midlands leading entrepreneur James Driscoll.
For further information on the open day please log on to http://biadktp.eventbrite.com