Exploring what is possible for businesses tapping into academic expertise

Knowledge Exchange award winners stepped up to the challenges of the last year with impressive levels of creativity and innovation, says Dr Siobhán Jordan

In the past year, we have all had to find new ways of being creative and innovative, whether that has been in what we cook, how we exercise or where we work.

The expression “necessity is the mother of all invention” comes to mind when I think about the creativechangeswehavemadeinourdaily lives, as well as the monumental achievementsbybusiness-academic partnershipsintacklingmedicaland economic responses to COVID-19 in different ways. It was therefore apt that we celebrated the annual Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards yesterday (April 21), on World Creativity and Innovation Day.

Many of the partnerships stepped up to the challenges of the last year with creativity and innovation. My congratulationsgotoallthewinners, who are:

Making a Difference

Scottish Leather Group (SLG Technology), Bridge of Weir, and Edinburgh Napier University for the development of new, high value products and processes using sustainable materials which have significantly impacted on manufacturers and contributed to education and art.

Multiparty Collaboration

The Scottish Capsule Programme (SCOTCAP); Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NHS National Services Scotland, NHS Highland, NHS Grampian, NHS Western Isles, Medtronic, Corporatehealth International UK Ltd, University of Aberdeen and University of Strathclyde co-designed and delivered the use of a “Pillcam” containing a digital camera as a viable, safe, and cost-effective alternative to colonoscopy.

COVID-19 Collaborative Response

The Lighthouse Laboratory in Glasgow, a major new COVID-19 testing facility by Bioclavis Ltd, University of Dundee and University of Glasgow, processing PCR testing samples from across the

UK, recently reaching the 10 million test milestone.

Powerful Partnership

Cobb Vantress, a global poultry genetics business, and University of Edinburgh have worked together since 2013 across animal welfare, disease resistance, food security and preserving biodiversity.

Innovator of the Future

Dr Jakub Rycerz, KTP Associate, from the University of the West of Scotland, who collaborated with Phoenix Instinct Ltd, Forres, on the design and manufacturing of a SMART, light-weight carbon fibre wheelchair frame integrating electronic systems.

Knowledge Exchange Champion

Professor Malcolm Macdonald, University of Strathclyde, is instrumental in the development of Scotland’s space sector. His work as Director of the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications from 2014-2020 supported the creation of 16 new companies.

Knowledge Exchange Heroes

Dr Andrea Taylor, Head of Business Development, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh, is passionate about Knowledge Exchange and a relentless champion of her team. Her drive and ambition has led a proactive industry engagement strategy.

Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Marks & Clerk)

Scotmas Group Ltd, Kelso, and Robert Gordon University for the development of a new and innovative method of producing disinfectants without harmful by-products for use in hospitals, water supplies and food production applications.

I hope they inspire other businesses and organisations to contact us to explore what might be possible by tapping into academic expertise. Dr Siobhán Jordan, Director, Interface