September 29, 2021, by bbzswh

Awards success recognise the university’s engagement with business

Four partnerships between the University of Nottingham and business have been recognised at a national awards ceremony. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards, delivered by Innovate UK, showcase the exceptional ways universities and businesses have collaborated during a difficult year. 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are a government-funded programme designed to drive innovation and growth for businesses. The programme links a business with a university and a graduate to collaborate on a strategic project.  

The awards, held on 23 September, showcased the positive impact of collaboration across a number of categories. 

Jonny Reader won a Rising Star Award for his work with Hydrogarden and its business unit, V-Farm, a vertical farming specialist. Jonny joined the company as a Design Engineer to expand the company’s knowledge on the inter-relationship between plants and their growing environment. His innovative ideas helped to increase their post-project sales forecast by 80% and led to a permanent role with the company. 

Meghna De also won a Rising Star Award for her work with Littlefuse, an industrial technology manufacturing company. Meghna added to the company’s capabilities through her specialisation in material science. This award recognises the outstanding leadership skills she demonstrated and the way she exceeded the project expectations. 

There was also success in the Inspiring Stories category. Rachel Sutherland was working on a KTP with Warner’s Gin to improve quality and drive the development of new products. This award recognises the versatility and ingenuity she showed during the national lockdown to help Warner’s overcome technical and logistical challenges to pivot to the production of WHO-approved sanitisers and gels. 

And our project with SureScreen Diagnostics and our School of Pharmacy was a finalist in the Best KTP category. KTP Associate, Dr Yasin Kurmoo, used his expertise in medical diagnostics to drive new product development and design, develop and validate a new diagnostic device. Yasin’s work has also led to a permanent role within the company. 

Paul Yeomans, Head of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University of Nottingham, said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are an incredible scheme because it allows businesses of all sizes and sectors to access expertise from the world’s leading universities and see transformative results. We’re proud that four of our talented associates have been recognised with these awards.” 

To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, visit our information for students or information for businesses. 

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