Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 6 Characterisation of
technology transfer
programmes for linking
knowledge generators to the
commercial sector
Although some ideas emerge from the business environment through people
that are active in a sector, most of the ideas in this process emerge in the first
instance from knowledge generators such as universities, government research
laboratories, and research hospitals.
Experience suggests that for these ideas to be effective in creating commercial
activity there needs to be in place a range of technology transfer programmes. A
number of examples of these are described in Fig.
6
.
Examples of policies and policy instruments in the UK which support the
connection of technology to the market include:
4.1.1 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
These are aimed at helping businesses improve their competitiveness and pro-
ductivity by using knowledge, technology and skills in the UK knowledge base.
The benefits for academics that are engaged in these programmes include
keeping them up to date with commercial needs; helping academics work on real
business problems and helping them find new research themes for undergraduate
and postgraduate projects. In this, relationship business gains access to skills and
expertise for business development.
The kind of projects these support include product design and development,
developing manufacturing practices and management processes or working on
computing
or
management
information
in
order
to
solve
problems
through
innovation.
4.1.2 Knowledge Transfer Accounts
These are funded by the UK government with the view to supporting specific skills
from a particular university's expertise. Examples of these include accounts in
nanotechnology, photonics, communication and signal processing and next gen-
eration materials and characterisation. The purpose of these is to help match
outputs and capabilities from universities with industrial needs, provide access to
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