Collaborate to stay ahead

The knowledge-based economy and the rapid rise of innovative new technologies is forcing businesses to focus more intently on research, development and innovation. Standing still is, in fact, going backwards. But no organisation can progress alone, at least not at a pace that keeps them competitive. New technologies enable new business models to emerge that in turn demand new skills.

These were the key messages from a range of speakers at the recent SMMI/British Marine Event for the marine and maritime sector. The audience comprising 50 businesses and academics heard that collaboration is vital. Various mechanisms for arranging collaboration between business and universities were described, including the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Scheme targeted at graduates working with business on product development and the CASE Studentship Scheme for more early stage PhD research albeit still with close links to industry.

Having demonstrated its worth over four decades, the KTP Scheme is one of the few to retain serious levels of funding. To its credit the University of Southampton has made over 50 KTP applications and has an enviable 100% success rate. SMMI is here to help broker discussions between business and academics for KTPs and all of the other ways of collaborating. If you would like to learn more about the KTP Scheme and other opportunities please contact SMMI here.