Ahead of the Discovery Park Innovation Summit on Thursday 22 June, explore the crucial role of university-business knowledge exchange in driving innovation.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation has become the key to success for businesses across industries. To stay ahead in the game, companies must constantly seek new ideas, technologies, and strategies. One effective way to foster innovation is through university-business knowledge exchange. Read on to find out how you can collaborate with the University of Kent to tap into our wealth of expertise, research, and fresh perspectives, to drive innovation and gain a competitive edge.
Access Cutting-Edge Research
The University of Kent is the research powerhouse of Kent and Medway, with the majority of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the recent Research Excellence Framework results. By collaborating with us, businesses are gaining access to this vast pool of knowledge, allowing them to incorporate the latest research findings into their products, services, and processes and gain an edge over their competition. At the Innovation Summit, Dr Virginia Spiegler from Kent Business School will be joining a panel to discuss the role this knowledge exchange activity has to play in the future of food systems.
Co-Creation and Commercialisation
The University of Kent is among only 50 UK universities to have secured funding from UKRI’s Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) scheme to support the translation of ground-breaking discoveries towards market-ready offerings. Alongside consultancy, contract research and collaborative research, this is helping organisations to develop innovative solutions, products, and services. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the pace of innovation but also facilitates the commercialization of research outcomes.
Fresh Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
We thrive on our diverse and interdisciplinary environments here at Kent. Our collaborations bring together experts from various disciplines to tackle local, national and international challenges, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. Examples include Future Human, the Institute of Cyber Security for Society and the Right to Food project. Businesses are tapping into these initiatives, enabling them to approach challenges and opportunities from new angles and harness novel solutions that might not have been possible within the confines of the business alone.
Talent Pipeline and Recruitment
Kent is a breeding ground for talented individuals, including students and researchers. By engaging in knowledge exchange with us, businesses are establishing relationships with these individuals early on, nurturing a talent pipeline for future recruitment. Placements and internships, student knowledge exchange events and collaborative research projects, such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships provide opportunities for businesses to identify and attract top talent. By harnessing the expertise and enthusiasm of these individuals, businesses are infusing their workforce with fresh ideas and perspectives, further fuelling innovation within their organizations.
Networking and Industry Connections
Engaging in university-business knowledge exchange creates a platform for networking and establishing valuable industry connections. We run a series of conferences, seminars, and industry-focused events at Kent, including the annual Kent and Medway Business Summit, providing opportunities for businesses to connect with like-minded professionals, potential partners, and academic experts. These connections foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices, creating an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
If you want to learn more about what we have to offer your business, come and speak to our team at the Innovation Summit on 22 June. We will be available on our stand to discuss funding opportunities, such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the Impact Acceleration Accounts, as well as other ways that you can tap into our vast pool of knowledge, expertise to innovate and grow your business.