Herts celebrates 50 years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Herts began its KTP programme in 1992 with British Aerospace Dynamics Ltd, a fitting start given Herts’ heritage in the aerospace sector.
Since then, Herts has delivered 112 KTP projects across diverse sectors - electronics, digital health, agriculture, manufacturing, management science, and more.
Deborah Tebbutt, Business Development Accounts and Operations Manager, Research and Enterprise Services, said:
“Each project has been a story of collaboration, creativity, and shared ambition. We currently have 10 KTPs in delivery, with more in the pipeline.
“Our most recent KTPs are at the cutting edge, focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity - areas that are not only vital to industry, but also to the future prosperity of our region and our country.”
Guests were able to meet students engaged on KTPs and to view examples of recent projects. These included a project to combat undernutrition among women of reproductive age in low-income Nigerian households, by developing safe, affordable, nutrified snack foods, strengthening the supply chain and empowering smallholder farmers. Another Herts KTP aims to design and optimise next-generation chip removal cutting tools to inform the development of optimised tooth geometry, improving tool performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Herts has worked with a range of local businesses - CU Phosco, Heales, C4 Carbides, TTi and many others - helping them to innovate, grow, and compete on a national and global stage. These partnerships have strengthened the local economy and created new opportunities for students, staff and communities.
In the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework, Herts achieved “very high engagement” for research partnerships and for local growth and regeneration.
Professor Wendy Wills, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Hertfordshire, said:
“One of the most powerful aspects of the KTP programme is the way it embeds recent graduates into businesses, where they can apply their academic knowledge, develop new skills, and make a real difference.
“The recent KEF report specifically highlighted Herts’ strong KTP portfolio as evidence of successful collaborative research and impact. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved -academics, business partners, and our talented KTP Associates, our students.
“At Herts, our research commitments - rethinking health, advancing technology, engaging communities, driving sustainability, and embracing curiosity - will continue to underpin our KTP work. There has never been a better time to invest in partnership and collaboration.”