Queen’s celebrates 40 years of KTP 
08 October 2015
Queen’s hosted a celebratory event at the start of October to mark 40 years of the highly successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme. The UK-wide initiative has contributed millions of pounds to the Northern Ireland economy and has become one of the largest graduate recruitment programmes in the UK.
Since 1993 Queen’s University has collaborated on 350 KTPs, leading to careers for 400 KTP Associates and generating an estimated £350m in increased profits for the dozens of Northern Ireland businesses involved. In the process, 700 jobs have been created, representing an investment in plant and machinery of £67m.
Benefits to the University and its researchers from the long-term collaboration with industry have included new opportunities to research and develop solutions to real-world problems, with associated spin-offs in the publication of hundreds of research papers and articles.
Queen’s has become the KTP standard-bearer for the UK, with the University consistently topping the league table for both the quantity and quality of projects, in spite of the comparatively small regional size and pool of businesses. There have been 13 national awards in Northern Ireland, for Queen’s partnerships, academics and KTP Associates.
In the 40th year of KTP, this special anniversary event will see the mobilisation of KTP Ambassadors from among KTP Associate alumni from across Northern Ireland and further afield. Short presentations were given to share what KTP has meant to graduates and businesses and the effect it has had on their company or subsequent career.
Among the distinguished guests was Jeremy Fitch of Invest NI and Mike Biddle from Innovate UK – the main funders for the KTP initiative in Northern Ireland.
Invest NI contributes £1.4m annually into KTP projects, delivered by Queen's, Ulster University and the FE Colleges, which are typically co-funded equally by Innovate UK.
Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI's Executive Director of Business Solutions, said: “Over the 40 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have offered businesses access to highly innovative support which has helped these firms to become stronger and more competitive. Collaboration is a key part of the success of our knowledge base. The contribution KTPs are making to our future economic prosperity is clear. Invest NI will continue to encourage local companies to embrace innovation and take advantage of the benefits of KTP.”
The host of the celebratory evening was Professor David Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students and a long-time supporter of KTP. Having participated in the KTP initiative, he was well-placed to share his insights into its success. “Anyone involved in a KTP project in Northern Ireland, past or present, can be proud of its contribution,” said Professor Jones. “Our small region is extremely successful in KTPs nationally, hosting about 7% all UK KTPs over the 40 years. And there is much more to come!”
For information regarding KTPs at Queen’s please contact KTP Manager Lorraine Marks or tel 028 9097 3970.
For media inquiries contact Communications Officer Una Bradley or tel 028 90097 5384.
Pictured above, and among the speakers at the event, are (L-R): Jim Eastwood (former participant in BBC 1's The Apprentice), Stuart Lendrum, Head of Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing at Sainsbury's, Dr Mary Flynn MBE, Head of KTP and Business Networks at Queen's, Professor David Jones, Mike Biddle, Deputy Director of Innovation Programmes at Innovate UK and Jeremy Fitch.
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