Knowledge Transfer Partnership wins national accolade
Posted on 17 March 2009
The award, which also involved the University of Hull, was presented in London at the Government-backed scheme’s annual awards ceremony.
Using the UK’s knowledge, technology and skills, KTPs have become Europe's leading programme to help businesses to improve competitiveness and productivity.
The University of York’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations, Dr Chris Henshall, said: "It is fantastic news that York has again received a prestigious KTP award which confirms our position as a leading supplier of expertise and innovation to the economy."
Authentix is a global leader in product authentication and the KTP involved the Technology Facility in the Department of Biology developing novel tracers for the spirit industry. Meanwhile, the Department of Chemistry at York together with the Department of Engineering at the University of Hull developed a product for quantitative tests of level of markers in fuels.
Erwin Dorland, Vice-President, Global Client Services at Authentix Ltd said: "We are delighted that the very real outputs and success of the KTP have been publicly recognised through this award."
Dr John Pillmoor, who heads the University of York’s Technology Facility, added: "The partnership has been immensely beneficial for all involved and the award recognises the huge effort made by everyone."
Dr James Gilbert, from the University of Hull’s Engineering Department said: "This is a particularly exciting project to have been involved in. The commercial scope for a device that detects counterfeit fuel is immense and it has been a privilege to apply our expertise to this ground-breaking project. It will be very rewarding to see how the technology is rolled out globally."
A full case study on the partnership is available on the KTP web site at: ktp.aeasolutions.co.uk/casestudies and details of the 2008 awards at: www.ktponline.org.uk/awards_2008/Main.aspx
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Authentix is a global leader in product authentication providing research and technology to detect and remove counterfeit and adulterated products within the petroleum, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries.
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. In the recent Research Assessment Exercise, the Department was equal first amount broad spectrum bioscience departments. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology.
- The Department of Chemistry at the University of York has an excellent reputation for teaching and research. In the recent Research Assessment Exercise, the Department was ranked third equal amongst UK chemistry departments for internationally excellent and world-leading research work. The department was also rated by the NSS as the leading Chemistry Department in the UK for student satisfaction.
- The Technology Facility is a premier research support and technology training unit in the Department of Biology. With 20 expert staff and more than £7.3 million of advanced equipment in 2,000 square meters of laboratory space, it provides access to important bioscience technology platforms for both University and external researchers.
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK-wide programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. They serve to meet a core strategic need and to identify innovative solutions to help that business grow. KTP often delivers significant increased profitability for business partners as a direct result of the partnership through improved quality and operations, increased sales and access to new markets. Social enterprises see improved results, too.
- The University of Hull’s Department of Engineering is a centre of excellence for teaching, research and interaction with business. Hull is one of the few universities that has a genuine General Engineering provision where skills across the various branches are taught by professional and practising engineers. The department’s strengths include design, manufacture and the use of materials across all branches of engineering and technology. It also hosts a business-facing Engineering Innovation Institute. Degree programmes cover Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Engineering and Product Innovation.