The THE Awards are an opportunity to recognise the ideas originated by NCUB members, writes Shivaun Meehan
The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) website is a treasure trove of examples of collaborations between universities and businesses. The value of its case studies are outlined in our collaboration progress monitor: £95.6 million of industry income is used for knowledge exchange, £1.35 billion university research and development is funded by foreign sources and £125.8 million is funded by licensing income. Such partnerships between universities and business are crucial in delivering the knowledge-rich economy that the UK needs.
The NCUB is delighted that the 2018 THE Awards – “the Oscars of higher education” – is the perfect opportunity to champion the extraordinary breadth of the UK HE sector. To celebrate university-business collaborations, the NCUB and Times Higher Education created the Most Innovative Contribution to Business-University Collaboration award in 2016.
The first winning partnership, between Dairy Crest and Harper Adams University, resulted in 40 new R&D staff taking residence on the Harper Adams campus, discovering new domestic and international markets and a £2 million budget increase for Dairy Crest research.
In 2017, the innovative BIM Academy partnership between Ryder Architecture and Northumbria University won, bringing a vital competitive advantage to the UK construction industry. The partnership provides knowledge and expertise about the application of digital 3D design, construction planning and asset management – and is a centre of excellence for BIM research, consultancy, training and education.
This year, the value of the award has been recognised by its sponsor, HSBC. The shortlist includes an eclectic range of partnerships: fighting medical device associated infections, placements and scholarships helping to mould a global retail strategy, saving a traditional printing process, a virtual reality game about the life of one of Britain's greatest scientists, a ceramic recycling innovation and the history of coffee embedded in a coffee company’s staff training programme.
Each are worthy entries – the winner will be announced by Times Higher Education on 29 November.
Shivaun Meehan is head of communications at the National Centre for Universities and Business. A version of this article originally appeared on the NCUB blog.
Brought to you in conjunction with HSBC. Find out more about HSBC’s education team.
